Mimi, in warmth, took up Victorine’s cause; and it was with some difficulty their father silenced them; but the quiet D’Elsac was much struck with what had passed, and his eyes were gradually opening to the fact that Victorine was indeed right, and that the root of bitterness was springing up in the family of his sister.
When once the idea was raised, he became much alarmed, considering the purport of his visit. “Victorine, there is no doubt, is the most sensible of her family,” he thought, “but I could not think of having a heretic in my house: then, Caliste looks so fiery, and Lisette is so selfish, and Mimi is so passionate, that I dare not offer a home to any of them. Well, I have not, at present, mentioned the purport of my journey hither; and, if things continue as I fear they will, I shall certainly travel back alone.”
On the following morning Lisette, dressed in her holiday attire, went to the château to pay
her compliments to Madame la Baronne de Salency. The young girl really looked uncommonly beautiful, and her mother, in pride, having embraced her, watched her up the village street, expressing aloud to her brother her satisfaction in being parent to such a child.
Dorsain felt that his sister’s rose had many a thorn; he did not say so, however, though the words trembled on his lips, and the thought would not be banished from his mind; and, for the first time in his life, he rejoiced that he was childless. But D’Elsac was in such a deep darkness then, that, beholding faults in his nearest and dearest connexions, made him look upon men with disgust; for he saw not, nor knew of that blood of the Lamb, which, “though men’s sins be as scarlet, yet shall it wash them white as snow.”
When Lisette returned she had much, very much, to say on the condescending kindness of Madame, neither did she hesitate to add a little to that lady’s words.
“Monsieur le Baron will conduct me himself from our cottage,” she said; “for he has promised not to go to Paris till the ninth of June, on purpose to be present at the fête of the
Rose, which is to be held at his château, and Madame asked me whom I had chosen for my companions for the day, and she was pleased to express a wish that Victorine should be amongst the number.”
“But Victorine never goes to mass!” exclaimed Mimi, “and you know the Rosiere always attends vespers.”
“Well, that wont signify,” replied Lisette, tossing her head, “for once in a way Victorine may oblige a sister.”