“Anything else I would willingly do, dear Lisette,” replied Victorine, “but my parents having permitted me to stay away from mass, I cannot accompany you.”
“But Madame has commanded your attendance!” exclaimed Lisette.
“She has no power to command me to do anything I think wrong,” replied Victorine, “and in this point I must not obey her; with my mother’s permission I will go up to the château, and excuse myself for opposing her wishes.”
“How unkind of you, Victorine!” said Lisette, bursting into a passion of tears, “for I told Madame you would be sure to accompany
me, and she said it would improve the procession if my two sisters followed me and the Baron.”
Victorine appeared vexed, and, taking Lisette’s hand, she said, “would you wish me to do what I think wrong to give you an hour’s amusement? I cannot act against my conscience, dear sister. I cannot accompany you to chapel.”
Lisette flung her hand from her as she replied, “Do as you like, Victorine, but it is hard that the very reason which makes me elected Rosiere should cause such jealousy in my two elder sisters. I might have hoped that Caliste and Victorine would rejoice in the honour done me.”
Victorine appeared more and more grieved by this answer, but she said no more; and, having obtained her mother’s consent, she went to the château to excuse herself to Madame la Baronne.
That lady received her kindly, and even approved her conduct, though she did not agree in her opinions. She regretted her remaining an alien from the Romish church, and promised her, if she would renounce her heresy, she should be the elected Rosiere of
the following year. But this offer did not tempt Victorine; she could not behold the unhappy state of her sisters without dreading to become their rival.