"When? how?" said Adèle, sharply. "Papa has never seen her."
"But he has seen other French women, Adèle, and he fears their influence."
Adèle looked keenly at the spinster for a moment, as if to fathom the depth of this reply, then burst into tears.
"Oh, why, why didn't he take me with him?" But this she says under breath, and to herself, as she rushes into the Doctor's study to question him.
"Is it true, New Papa, that papa thought badly of Madame Arles?"
"Not personally, my child, since he had never seen her. But, Adaly, your father, though I fear he is far away from the true path, wishes you to find it, my child. He has faith in the religion we teach so imperfectly; he wishes you to be exposed to no influences that will forbid your full acceptance of it."
"But Madame Arles never talked of religion to me"; and Adèle taps impatiently upon the floor.
"That may be true, Adaly,—it may be true; but we cannot be thrown into habits of intimacy with those reared in iniquity without fear of contracting stain. I could wish, my child, that you would so far subdue your rebellious heart, and put on the complete armor of righteousness, as to be able to resist all attacks."
"And it was for this papa left me here?" And Adèle says it with a smile of mockery that alarms the good Doctor.
"I trust, Adaly, that he had that hope."