his intention, he would have plenty of time given him to study the characters of the three sisters. Moving the hand of Mimi, he inquired, “what had been the result of the meeting that morning.”
“Is it possible, it cannot have reached you?” exclaimed the mother, proudly. “Why, Dorsain, never such a thing has been known at Salency in the memory of man. My own two girls, Caliste and Lisette, have been chosen, with Felicie Durand, and the Seigneur will make his election as it pleases him. Two out of one family, Dorsain, only think, two sisters from one family; ought I not to be proud of my girls? But, alas!” and she sighed, casting a look of displeasure on Victorine, “alas! we have all our troubles. Why should the elder and younger daughter be chosen, and the second past over as a shame, rather than an honour, to an honest family?”
Poor Victorine coloured highly, and turned her head away from the group.
Mimi sprang forwards, and seized her hand, exclaiming, “If the best girl in the village was to be Rosiere, where should we find another equal to you, Victorine? Now own it, mother,”
continued the indulged child, “own that Victorine is the most obedient and complaisant of us four.”
Madame Durocher patted Mimi on the head, and held out her other hand to Victorine, as she kindly said, “Well, my dear girl, I cannot help being somewhat vexed; you are a good girl, Victorine, a very good girl; and it is quite excusable in a mother to regret that her child does not share in the triumphs of virtue. I have no fault to find with you, Victorine, none whatever, and as Mimi says you would have as good a chance as any to be Rosiere; what a sad pity it is then, that you have such foolish opinions on some few points!”
“Dearest mother,” replied Victorine, respectfully kissing her hand, “I am content, if you are satisfied, not to try for the rose.”
“Well, well,” exclaimed Margoton, “I am proud of my girls, and I think Felicie Durand has but little chance against them.”
“You are right there, neighbour Durocher,” replied the same person who had spoken before. “You have, indeed, reason to be proud. How lovely will your charming Lisette, or Caliste either, look at the feet of Monsieur le Prieur,