Writhing in agony, she thus gave vent to her passion. But suddenly she was roused by soothing words whispered in her ear, and looking up, she beheld Victorine, whose soft eyes were full of tears for her.
“My sister,” said Victorine, “my dearest sister, give not way thus fearfully to regret. Mimi has sent me to you, Caliste. Mimi, who
loves you, with tears bade me follow you hither.”
Victorine, as she spoke, embraced her sister, and earnestly implored her to be calm.
“That can I never be,” she answered, “whilst I am rejected, and Lisette triumphs.”
“But, remember that she is our sister,” whispered Victorine; “that her election is happiness to our parents. Dearest Caliste, wherefore be so dispirited? we all love you dearly; let us not then grieve our parents by not participating in their present cause of satisfaction.”
“Victorine,” replied her sister, “what cause have I to sooth my parents? Have they forgotten that I, too, am their child, as well as Lisette? Yes, they have forgotten it, Victorine; and in the moment when I most need their comfort, they have passed over their unhappy child, to triumph with her who is triumphant. No, I will not think of them,” she added, “for they have already forgotten me. But, what am I saying—they no more regard me; in Lisette’s glory they have lost all remembrance of Caliste’s downfall.”
“Do not say so,” replied Victorine, “how
proud they were at your being chosen, Caliste; they love you dearly, and even now I dare say they are seeking you.”
“Victorine, you speak not what you know to be true,” replied the excited girl. “Have not our father and mother continued to upbraid you from the day we were chosen, even to this very morning, because your heresy has prevented your trying to be Rosiere? Would that it were you that were elected, Victorine! To you I could give up the rose with half the sorrow I feel now.”