She came forward with outstretched arms, her eyes open, in an ecstatic attitude, and the whole little assembly, so simple-minded and loving, wept.
All the actors except old Toby and the Angel sank on their knees and gave praise to God, and at the close of this thanksgiving the public, moved by religious sentiment and discipline, repeated, Amen!
Toby’s mother then approached the Angel and said:
“Oh, noble stranger, take up your abode from henceforth with us; you shall be our guest, our son, our brother!”
I then advanced, and in a long speech of at least thirty lines, made known that I was the messenger of God, that I was the Angel Raphael. I then gathered up quickly the pale blue tarlatan, which was being concealed for a final effect, and veiled myself in cloudy tissue which was intended to simulate my flight heavenward. The little green serge curtain was then closed on this apotheosis.
Finally the solemn day arrived. I was so feverish with expectation that I could not sleep the last three nights. The dressing bell was rung for us earlier than usual, but I was already up and trying to smooth my rebellious hair, which I brushed with a wet brush by way of making it behave better.
Monseigneur was to arrive at eleven o’clock in the morning. We therefore lunched at ten and were then drawn up in the principal courtyard. Only Mother Ste. Alexis, the eldest of the nuns, was in the front and Mother Ste. Sophie just behind her. The almoner was a little distance away from the two Superiors. Then came the other nuns, and behind them the girls, and then all the little children. The lay Sisters and the servants were also there. We were all dressed in white with the respective colors of our various classes.
The bell rang out a peal. The large carriage entered the first courtyard. The gate of the principal courtyard was then opened and Monseigneur appeared on the carriage steps, which the footman lowered for him. Mother Ste. Alexis advanced, and bending down, kissed the episcopal ring. Mother Ste. Sophie, the Superior, who was younger, knelt down to kiss the ring. The signal was then given to us and we all knelt to receive the benediction of Monseigneur. When we looked up again the big gate was closed and Monseigneur had disappeared, conducted by the Mother Superior. Mother Ste. Alexis was exhausted, and went back to her cell.
In obedience to the signal given we all rose from our knees. We then went to the chapel where a short mass was celebrated, after which we had an hour’s recreation. The concert was to commence at half past one. The recreation hour was devoted to preparing the large room and to getting ready to appear before Monseigneur. I wore the Angel’s long robe with a blue sash round my waist, and two paper wings fastened on with narrow blue straps, that crossed over each other in front. Round my head was a band of gold braid, fastening behind. I kept mumbling my “part” (for in those days we did not know the word “rôle”). We are more used to the theater at present, but at the convent we always said “part,” and years afterwards I was surprised, the first time I played in England, to hear a young English girl say: “Oh, what a fine part you had in ‘Hernani.’”
The room looked beautiful, oh, so beautiful! There were festoons of green leaves, with paper flowers at intervals, everywhere. Then there were little lusters hung about with gold cord. A wide piece of red velvet carpet was laid down from the door to Monseigneur’s armchair, upon which were two cushions of red velvet with gold fringe.