“You forget, then, how she is situated,” replied Victorine. “From infancy has Caliste been taught to aspire to the rose, every year has she ardently expected it; now this time her name is on the list, and her own sister, younger by three years, steps forward and takes it from her. Our parents, too, rejoice with the child that rejoices; they love one daughter equally with the other; they are content that the Rosiere is in their family, and they, perhaps, have not given it a thought that the greater
the triumph is to Lisette, the greater is the defeat to poor Caliste. Then, alas! my sister has none to look to for comfort, and she is overwhelmed with despair; she has been tried for worldly virtue and goodness, and she has been rejected; and she is now writhing under the shame, and unable and unwilling to turn to Him who says, ‘Come unto me all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me, for I am meek and lowly in heart, and ye shall find rest unto your souls.’”
D’Elsac had already been led to see that Victorine was right in refusing to be a rival to her sister; he was therefore inclined to listen to what she said, though he tried to make himself believe that, as she was a heretic, he should not be led by her in anything; however, he went on conversing with her about Caliste, and even about Lisette. Victorine could not deny that Lisette in her selfish triumph spared no opportunity of exalting herself at the expense of Caliste, neither could she excuse this sister from the fault that Dorsain charged her, with cruelly rejoicing in every pang of jealousy that the poor girl suffered. Though Victorine could not excuse
her conduct, yet she laid it to its right source, the total ignorance of Lisette on religious subjects, who considered an outward appearance of virtue sufficient in the eyes of a just God, and that the guidance of the thoughts and evil passions of the heart were only so far necessary as to obtain for herself the perishable Rosiere’s crown.
D’Elsac inquired if after the ceremony the Rosiere was peculiarly noticed amongst the Salenciens.
“Monsieur de Montforlaine has given an annual rent of one hundred and twenty livres to the Rosiere,” replied Victorine, “and this gives the office some consequence. Those too who have been Rosieres are always treated with respect in Salency, even after their reign is over.”
“Then Caliste will have to endure Lisette’s superiority very long,” said Dorsain.
“Till the time she is herself Rosiere,” she replied; “at least whilst she remains in Salency.”
Here a pause ensued, during which D’Elsac saw the tears roll fast down the cheeks of Victorine, so as almost to prevent her continuing her employment. He was a kind-hearted
man, and grieved to see her tears. “Victorine,” he said, lowering his voice, “you have no idea what business it was that brought me to Salency; your aunt D’Elsac is not so strong as she was some years back; she wants an assistant, and she would prefer a niece to a stranger.”