Untitled

Otago Witness, Issue 920, 17 July 1869, Page 18

Madame Victoire's English Teacher.

Madame Victoire's school was in the lower part of the city of. New OrleanSj numbered one thousand twenty-six, Rue do la Riviere. I remember the number well, for my father told it to his agent, to j whose care he consigned me, and the agent repeated it to the captain of the steamer, and the captain rehearsed it to , his clerk, and finally it was dinned into the ears, and at last into the consciousness of a white-headed old negro who was to drive me up from the wharf.

"A tousan' twenty-six!" said the old fellow. " I know him. Big School ! Where de young ladies learns all de fine tings !" he said, with a pull at hia tattered cap, and a comical grimace. "Madame bery big leddy," he added. 1 drew back into a corner of the carriage in a dismal mood. What did I care for her great ladyship 1 I would a thousand times rather have been going home to my'old black nurse Ohio©. How happy I had been there ! Could anything be plaasanter than idling away the delicious summer days in the old parlor, or galloping up the river road on autumn mornings, or playing at keeping house and entertaining friends in the short, mild winter ? But the war had come and broken in upon this sweet restful home life. Already it was a thing of the paßt. My father had accepted a colonel's commission in the army, and he at least anticipated a long struggle. It would never do to leave me on the plantation, he said. So here I waa, an untaught, motherless girl from an up-river town, ignorant, Bhy, proud, and affectionate, about to make n»y debut among Madame Victoire's polished pupils. I dreaded it unspeakably, and I shed some bitter tears as Hay back in the carriage and watched the stately verandahed houses slip by, and wondered between whiles how soon we should come to Madame Victoire's, and dreaded to see the carriage stop. It did stop at last, and before a high colonaded building with a white front, act back in a garden, of which one only caught glimpses through tho interstices of a magnificent hedge that enclosed it and the grounds in a wall of living green. It was an old-fashioned house with an oriel window in the front upper hall, and odd-looking dormer windowß projecting from the roof. Two or three young faces peeped from the oriel window, and I shrunk back, dreading to alight, and thinking I would give worlds wero my introduction well over.

At last there was no shadow of excuse for my remaining longer in the carriage, and 1 came forth, came reluctantly and sheepishly, followed old Pedro and my luggage up a long brick walk that led to tho front door.

When we got there Pedro had to do a deal of ringing and thumping, during which I patiently waited. Northern people, accustomed to see the entrance doors swing inward almost immediately after the bell wire is pulled, would have been impatient and surprised at such dilatoriness ; but I was accustomed to the shiftless ways of southern servants, and was not inclined to scold when, after ten minutes' siege, a lazy- looking mulatto opened the door, handed in my trunks, and shuffled along before mo to the parlor. This was an oblong room with a bay window j there might have been an outlook from this window upon the garden, but the view, whatever it was, was shut out by inside Venetian blinds and heavy silk curtains. Some light came in however, whore, at another window, the upper half of a blind was unclosed. By this faint light I mado out a pretty room, furnished apparently for winter use, for ♦ho carpet was a deep maroon with a gold cord running all over it in convolutions which allured and baffled mo ; the chairs wore in terry, in the same dark, warm color ; some shining fire-irons glittered on tho hoarth of tho stove, and altogether I thought tho room, though oppresnivo and glaring this genial euraincr day, would be a cosy retreat in winter. A fow whito vases wore hore and thero ; ono or two pallid statues gloamed from their niches, and a few pictures wero upon the walls. From most of those I tumod indifferently; they were poor landscapes, caricatures of nature. But a portrait hung— as I noticed ac the time— -so that tho light foil diroctly acroas it, attracted mo. It waa a young girl in conventual robes — tho dress a straight, looso gown of somo ! homoly gray stuff, high at the neok, leaving only the slender whito pillar of the throat bare, long and close at tho wrists, which were wonderfully small and dehoato. The whole intowwit of the picture centred in the face ; that was a study, for as ignorant as I was, I dimly felt that at tho timo, for my oyes kept going back to it again and again. The face was beautifill, but this was not all 5 a creamy, olive skin, long, waving hair, drooping eyes. But these alone would not have so allured me. It was some occult power in the

face ; Borne hidden .spell in/ the jsoft^eyes,,,, I .was standing before this picture^ gravely studying it, when I became aware of another presence. There had been no sound, no jarring of door or footfall, and yet I turned suddenly and looked into a calm, smiling face. "Mademoiselle contemplates my portrait !" said this lady, whom I knew at once must be Madame Victoire herself. I stammered Borne apology, which she received graciously. " Do yeu think it like ?" " Very like, except, perhaps that you are a little older now," I said, diffidently. The faintest shade of crimson stained the clear pallor of madame's cheek. " My friends say that the picture is so like me that it might have been taken yesterday," said she, severely. I knew at once that I had made a blunder. I don't think she ever forgave it me. | The thin red lips, so indescribably full of power, and so like in the picture, shut j more closely. Her manner stiffened at onca from its first smooth affability, and became curiously distrait and distant. " Mademoiselle, the young ladies are now in class. Presently they will go to the dining hall. I will send a servant to conduct you thither," she said, and then glided from the room. So I was alone again, conscious of failure, chagrined, frightened, and ready to cry. But I had not long to indulge my emotions. The servant who had admitted me shuffled along the hall, flung open the door and drawled out : " Mademoiselle will please come.' I went aa a victim to execution, traversed a long hall, descended some steps, and suddenly found myßelf in a large room where a long table ran up and down the centre, and a multitude of girls swarmed about. At least so it seemed to my unaccustomed eyes, though there were not really above a hundred of them. "Mademoiselle Peyton, young ladies !" said a clear, incisive voice from the other end of the room, and instantly the buzzing of the hundred voices ceased for a moment, and all eyea rested on me. My sight swam. A sense of suffocation came over me. Somebody put a glass of water into my hand. I tasted and was revived. " There ! You looked like a ghost just now. Was it the air, or waa you afraid of the girls ? " I looked up at my questioner. She was a tall girl, with a bright, homely face and a curiously disordered dress. She was not older than I, but she was at least a head taller. So I answered as 1 would a superior. . "I am afraid it waß the girla. lam very diffident." She laughed, but not ill-natnredly. "Never mind. We all have to go threugh it. Between ourselves, if I wpg a lady like madame, and kept a great school like this, I'd find some other way than hers to introduce a timid girl. But that's treason. It's treason here to criticise any of madamo's doings." I looked up. I suppose my face asked the question as plainly as words oonld have done, " Why do you do it then ?n? n My friend laughed. "0, I'm not afraid of her. I'm going home at the end of tho year." | While this talk was going on I was only slyly observing the girls. It was, as my companion presently explained, the luncheon hour, when tho pupils all repaired to the dining hall and partook of small white rolls and oranges, melons, or whatever fruit was in season. A bit of the light white roll was offered me and I found it delicious. I thought, though, that the allowance was small, and that I might sometime go hungry. As this thought oroßßed my mind I hoard Madame*s voice at my elbow; I startod, for I knew I had been thinking treason. " Terese Lavalle, you may show Madamoisolle Peyton her bed. She is to take little Maria Roland's placo. When you have done this, introduce her to Miss Rose."

With this madamo glided on. Torose Lavalle, for this was tho girl who had been talking with mo, lookod at mo a minuto in silence. Thon sho said, with a droll expression on hor foco : " You have already offended Madamo Viotoire! How?" As we walked along the long hall on our way up stairs I told her. " Well, you are an unlucky girl, Madamo will never forgive you that, depend upon it. If there ia anything sho prides hersolf upon, it is hor youthful looks. Nations may decay, individual grow old and perish, but Madame Adole Victoiro is as immortal as tho gods," I laughed at this. "lam sure, though, sho looks years older than hor portrait, And that is a nun's dress, too. Was madamo ever a mm!"

Torese shook her hood solomuly. Her two small black eyes twinklod mysteriously, "It would be hard to tell what madame hti or has not been. Fro hoard queer stories, and so will you if you keep your tars open. Some toy madame U tht

dWghterof French ewwjfr^ Indeed, she hmtsat this, and smiles sadly whenfthe revolution' of ?4k' is alluded to ; but others intimate 1 that she, came here poor and unknown, and got in,to society through the good offices of a Mr St. Glair who knew more of her than he ought to ; and there is a story that she was a dancer in a New York theatre— then a teacher of languages to the New York aristocracy of that Yankee city, and so got to know Mr St. Olair. Don't you hate the Yankees 1" said Terese, suddenly interrupting herself. , "No! Why should I?" " Why ? Because you are Southern, and every true Southerner should hate the Yankees. I'm glad you don't, though, for now you'll love Miss Bose. Madame sneers at her, and a good many of the girls don't like her, but I love her dearly." " Who is Miss Rose?"

" The English teacher. lam to introduce you to her. She classes all the new girls, and teaches English to the French and Creole scholars. Now if you have looked at the room long enough We'll go down."

I took another look at it. It was a long room — long enough for six narrow white beds to stand in a row with space between them for a wash-stand and chair, and so narrow that only an aisle ran along at the foot of their beds. But it was very light, and neat, and clean. Indeed, as I afterwards learned, the whole house was under the immediate supervision of Madame Victoire, who was daintily neat in all her ways and belongings. "We went down stairs now into what appeared to be a small recitation room. Half a score of the youngest girls were here, and the air was vocal with the cries of " Miss Rose !" " Miss Hose !"

" Miss Rose, indeed !" said Terese. " Virginia Forrest, why don't you shout a little louder ? Don't you know how deaf Mias Rose is ?"

" No, she isn't deaf ! Are you, Miss Rose V said the child, quite indignant. Misa Rose looked around, and seeing me smiled and held out her hand. My heart went out to her from that moment. I don't know that Bhe was what is called beautiful. Her complexion was not pure aa madame's, the contour of the cheek and chin not so delicate and perfect, her eyebrows were not so exquisitely arched. But her eyes were brown, gentle, and kind, and she had a aweet, sweet smile that must have been the heart's sunshine breaking outward. When I grew to know Alice Rose better I think I was glad that she was not beautiful. I commonly tire o£ beautiful faces. But I never looked at Mias Roae without wanting to look again, and without loving her better. "This ia Miss Peyton," said Tereao Lavalle.

Miss Rose held my hand in a soft, warm clasp a minute and said : " What is your first name?" " Joaio !" 0 Mißs Roae, I wish you would call me by it," I said, impulsively. " Thank you, Josie. I like the name, and I shall be glad to use it. And now sit down, and let us see what you want to do here."

I sat down, and as if she had been my owa dear elder sister I confessed to her my ignorance, told her of my lonelinoas, of my mother's death, my father's going into tho army, and my utter homesickness and hopelosßneos till now. A little rooro act her mouth became, a little less hercolor, a little hereye darkened when I spoke of my father, and that was all. And yot, being a Yankee, I knew where her sympathies must be. After half Jan hour's talk she went away. "Isn't sho splondid?" said Terese. " If all Yankees are like her. I wouldn't mind being a Yankee myself. This was my tirat introduction to Madame Victoiro and her seminary. And months went by before anything remarkable occurred. In that year 1 had learned to understand Madame pretty well. I very quickly found that what I learned would depend almost wholly upon myself. Madame nevor risked hor reputation by attempting to coerce a dull soholar. Sho simply praised and petted, and contented herself with sneering at the incompetent behind her back. Adole Viotoiro was a Frenchwoman. No other nation under heaven could havo doveloped a charootorso subtle, so unscrupulous, able, intriguing, plausible, and imincoro as hers. I soon found that thoro was no escaping Madamo's cßpionago. While apparontly tho largost liberty was allowed tho girls, thoy wore in reality kept under the strident sur* veillanco. No lettor entered or loft tho house of which Madame did not master the contents. If two or three pupils talked or walked together, Madame was sure to be within earshot. If ft girl hold a conference with any of the' under teachers, Madamo was a silent, unseen witness. She glided np and down stairs and through the long halls in soundless slippers j ncr dress never rustled j her light footfall nevor awoke an echo. But always when you thought yourself *«»•

something uncanny in,it.' jljfc gave me an odd sort of shiver to lock around" in the midst of an earnest conversation and see Madame's placid faceiwifch its stereotyped smile* But Terese Lavalle laughed at

me. i - • ■ "Of course she watches us. It's a part of her. system, that either herself or Father Antoine sball.be always on duty/ said Terese Lavalle. , , Have. I spoke of Father Antoine ? Madame was a devout Catholic ; > Bhe had a little oratory in , the back part of the house, whither she was often used to retire. Father Antoine was her, confessor. More than that he was her friend. If any, one had influence with Madame it was Father Antoine. There were stories current in t le school which substantiated this. For the rest the father was a mild- • looking man enough ; close-shaven, with Braall, keen, dark eyes, very low and soft of voice, and gentle of manner. He was known to sometimes win holidays for the girls which would not otherwise have been granted. Nevertheless not one of us liked the father. The aversion, if not founded upon reason, was based upon instinct. Even the Catholic pupils— and almost all of the French and Creole girls were of that faith— shunned Father Antoine, and had no good to say of him. The under teachers were puppets of Madame Victoire's, under-paid and dependent upon her will — all except Alic«» Rose. I don't think she ever swerved from the strait line of duty, ever praised a pupil, or flattered a parent to please Madame. Indeed, Miss Rose's inflexible conscientiousness was the talk of the school. Some of the girls did not understand it, some of them laughed at it, bat I think it extorted the respect of all. One day there was a little flurry of excitement in the seminary. Hitherto Madame had taken no part in the question of the day. Whether she was for Union or Secession nobody knew. " She's for her own interest," cried the irrepressible Terese Lavalle. A hot discussion sprang, up. For me, I was of course inclined to side with my people. But then my heart clung to Miss Rose. The side she was on could hardly be wrong. I had a long talk with her, and went away crying. I would not believe, and Bhe could not. The next morning the girls who rose earliest saw a beautiful flag of the Confederacy flying from the building. Terese Lavalle nißhed to Miss Rose and drew her out upon a balcony. "Behold, madame has defined her position !" she cried.

First, Alice Rose's face grew white ; then, two bright crimson spots came on her cheek. Her eyes, usually so soft and kind, gathered fire. Her lips were set hard together. The soul of the woman was roused.

I trembled while Terese rallied her. The breakfast bell rang suddenly and we all went in. Madame Victoire always graced the dejeuner with her presence. It was the time when important announcements wero mada to the school ; when sometimes girls were publicly reproved, and teachers dismissed. And so everybody looked and listened when madame rising from her chair said : " Demoiselles, attention !" "Madame is a natural orator," whispered Terese. "You have seen the beautiful flag of tho Confederacy which I have caused to be raised," she continued, in a resolute voice. "I had not thought my sentiments could be, for a moment, doubted. I had not believed—" here she put her handkerchief to her eyes—" that I could be thought bo ungrateful to the generouß land that protected me as to desert her in lier need. But I have been calumniated. Let yonder flag answer tho aspersions. Let no one dare to malign the Institution again. Ono word more. I trust, young ladies, that you do not listen to treasonable Bcntimonts. I trust indeed, that no ono tinder my roof dare utter them ; but if they do, I adjure you to turn a deaf ear to them all. Father Antoino will return thanks."

Tho father repeated his formal grace. Thoro was a moment's hubbub, and then everybody looked at Miss Boso. She was standing, pale and resolute, her oyos gloaming, hor small slight figure looking its stateliest. " Madame Victoire."

Thoro was instant silenco.

"Madame, I wioh to request an immediate roloaso from your service. I cannot live under a flag whoso Adherents are assailing the lifo of my country.' 1 Madamo smiled, but there was something very distgrooablo in her troilo. " Miss Rose, your request shall be attended to. Demoiselles, retire !" Wo retired, some of us in tears. Tereso in a towering position. "Send away Miss Bose, indoodf Is madame crazy ? Her school will not hold together six months. Verily, sho is insane." But madame was not mad. She had an eye open to her interest While Mias

a

'said madame, turning her lovely eyes first upon him and then raising them to heaven^ " I have been visited by Colonel Fielding. He wishes mo to receive some of -his ill and wounded men. As a Christian, 1 cannot refuse. Four of them are to be brought here 'to-night. The two upper servants will nurse them; I myself shall have the supervision."

A warm colour flashed all over Alice Rose's face.

" If you would allow me, madame," she oaid eagerly, "I could do it easily. I should be so glad." ; " Mademoiselle, you have your duties. The English studies must not be neglected. I can attend to the sick/ said madame, icily.. The English teacher's flesh color faded. All the hope died out 6t her face. Two great tears swelled up to her eyes. That night the sick men came. Madame herself received them, herself saw them nicely laid in one of the dormitories used for pupils when the school was full, I noticed that she kept Miss Rose out of the way while the escort was in the house.

That night I made a bold resolution. I would plead for Miss Rose with Madame. I sought her out next morning. She was pacing up and down her own room when I tapped at the the door. - " Come in !" she said.

But whem I was in she scowled upon me. "This is an intrusion, said madame. I can have no noise here. The sick soldiers are on this floor. A youn* Yankee captain lies very ill in the next room. I have promised Colonel Fielding there shall be no noise," she said, in a whisper.

"I will be careful, madame. But I must speak with you — about Miss Rose." Her face grew oold instantly.

"0, if you would allow her to help to nurse these soldiers," I said earnestly. She is pining for horne — she has suffered so long ! And this would be such a comfort to her."

Madame's face underwent a singular change. " You know not what you ask, my dear mademoisnlle. These officers are young, handsome cavaliers. Miss Rose is susceptible, extremely susceptible. She would never do. Any love making in my house would ruin me." I laughed, laughed aloud. The idea of Miss Rose being too susceptible for a sick nurse was so exquisitely absurd. Madame flushed angrily. " You have your answer, mademoiselle."

1 knew by the inflexible set lips that I might as well plead with the great stone sphinx as with her, and I went sadly away.

" A Yankee captain," said Miss Rose, whitening to the lips. " O Josie, Josie, if it should be my captain 1" And then sho wept wildly. "I am so sick with longing for the sight of a home face," she sobbed piteously. " Only think, it is two years since I had a word from my dear ones. Arthur may be in his grave. I look at the Bunbeams every day and wonder whether it shines on him too, or whether he is hid away in the dark earth, where corruption and darkness are. 0, I dream of these things all night." I could not bear this easily. I could have suffered myself, bub I oould not see my friend droop day by day. That night I took Terese Lavalle into my counsels.

" I will do something for poor, dear Mias Rose," I said.

"Good! But how V

" I will write a noto addressed to Captain Rose, and toll him his sister is here. "

" Miss Rose has writton to him again and again."

" But perhaps my noto will reach him." " You will put it into tho hands of some servant and he will givo it to Father Antoine, and Father Antoino will givo it to Madame.*

" But I will try."

I did try and it turned out just as Teroso had foretold Madamo produced my noto at breakfast and fixed hor oye on mo. " One of tho demoisolles had been dotectod in a clandestine correspondence with a Federal officer." And thon, whilo I was overwhelmed with shamo and confusion, she added that Mademoiselle Poyton would remain in hor room three days. So I staid in my room throo days, fasted on broad and water, and camo out with an unquonchod spirit. " I have anothor plan, Toreso. I'll adopt Madamo's tactics. I'll opoak to this oolonol himsolf, and domand if ho knows anything of a Captain Arthur Roso." " Madamo has forbidden any toachor or pupil to spoak to a Fodoral soldier." « I dofy Madamo." "Good!" saidToroso.

Poor Alioo Rote was all this time ill in her room. I think Madamo dolighted in thit. It loft her free to purauo her own schomos. She had novoc boon known to bo to affablo within tho mornory of soholar or teacher. Evory day whon Colonol Fielding oomo to inqulro aftor his oiok men IHO received him in tho parlor, was 10 gentle, ao iolicitou», that he must havo

thought his invalids had fallen into the hands of another Florence Nightingale. By « i: f gent s V rre . iUance I ascertained that. Colonel Fielding came at eleven o'clock in the morning, and that Madame descended to him immediately. She was always in a bewitching morning toilet at these times. The girls all wondered whether the handsome colonel was a bachelor, and if not, if Madame knew it.

But this is not to my purpose. On the morning in question I saw Oolomel Fielding shown into the parlor. In a moment or two Madame came down. The two chatted about ten minutes, and then went up stairs. A half hour or more passed, and then I heard Madame's mellifluous voice on the stairs :

" Ah, colonel !" she said, pausing near the door, " you cannot guess how sweet it is to live under the protection of our own dear flag at last. For months I have pined for a sight of it 1" And she lifted her blue eyes to the beautiful banner.

Madame little thought who was concealed behind the great clump of rhododendron by the door, who would have liked to come forth and shame her duplicity to her face.

The colonel made some polite rejoinder, and a few more sentences were interchanged. Madame was looking charmingly that morning. She wore a loose wrapper of • rose-coloured cashmere 5 a girdle confined it at the dainty waist ; her pretty foot just peeped from the hem; her fair small hands were clasped with graceful ease. Her complexion- was beautiful in its fairness ; her eyes eloquent and her red lips smiling. The colonel could not have been a man and not admired. Yet he showed no empresses ment in his manner. The advances came from Madame. But he lingered. Brave soldier as he was, there was rest and charm in the sweet morning, in the fair picture of sky, and river, and green park before him, in the society of the beautiful woman who seomed nothing loth to charm him. But at last duty called. " 1 must go back to my work, madame, though I would fain delay." " And I go to my poor sick men, whom you have made me forget," she said sweetly.

An honest color reddened the soldier's cheek at this adroit compliment. He lifted his hat, however, without rejoinder, and bade her good morning. Madame returned it, and lingered a moment to see him down the path, and then closed the door.

Now the colonel was wont to leave his horse at the great gate which opened to the drive leading to the stables, and to reach this he followed a circuitous path that led away through the grounds. Accordingly the moment the door closed upon Madame Victoire I ran down the straight brick walk in order to intercept him. He looked surprised, and stood perfectly still when I appeared before him from behind the laburnums at the groat gate. " I wish to speak to you, Colonel Fielding," I oaid breathlessly. "I am quite at your service," he returned ; and he raised his hat and bowed as politely as he had done to madame. Now I had not supposed that Yankees were gentlemen. Finding Colonel Fielding to be one put me quite at my ease at once.

"It is about a young officer who is supposed to be in your corps. At least ho was in your corpß. Do you know any thing of Captain Arthur Rose V

" Captain Arthur Rose ?" he repeated, blankly. " Yes, that is the name. His sister, Miss Alice Rose, has beon a teacher in Mndamo Victoire's over since boforo the war. Sho is sadly anxious to hear from him, and I ask for her sake."

" His riintor — horo — in this house }" said tho Colonel, in a tono of astonishment.

" Yes, O, you know him, I see," I said, oagorly. Tho Colonol smilod, though he still lookod puzzled. " I know him woll. I havo just loft his sick room. Captain Roso lies in yondor chamber." And ho pointod to tho long south dormitory that ovorlooked tho garden. It was my turn to bo amazod. I starod at him a moment incredulous.

" Can it bo poasiblo this is truo I" I said, stupidly. " 1 boliovo my character for voracity is unquostionod," said tho Colonol, thoughtfully. "0, I bog your pardon. Thank you ! It scemod too good to bo true. 0, how glad Alico will bo ! Excuso mo, sir, I must go to hor." And away I wont I forgot that Mndamo might see mo, and on to rod tho front door boldly instead of making a detour by tho kitohon as I had intondod. I ran up to tho dormitory whoro Miv Roio was. Sho lay thoro among hor pillows, looking so whito that I was almost frightened, from my purpose. But who evor know joytokiin 80 1 said;

" Dear Miss Rose, I have good news, joyful news for you !" She sprang up instantly, and looked at me with pitiful entreaty. " Arthur }", "He is here, in this house. He was ill, but he is better. And 0 Miss Rose, you can see him as soon as you are able to get up !" Without a single word she began to rise.

"0 Miss Rose." I cried, "are you sure you are able ?"

" Yes, lam able. I can just creep to his bed and kiss him, and then come back. God be praised ! My dear Arthur here !»

She trembled so she could scsrcely dress herself, but I assisted her, and at last she went out, trembling but happy. Even then she did not forget me. " Don't go with me, dear. Madame may be displeased."

But what cared I for Madame then 1 I was in the midst of a revolution, and intoxicated with success. I went with her to the door, saw her totter up to the bed, heard his glad cry of "Alice, Alice!" and then sat down by the door and cried in sympathy.

She came out in a little while, and I led her back to her room quite exhausted; but she rallied soon. Joy had indeed endowed her with life. The next morning Misa Rose appeared at the table, and when breakfast was ended, said, quietly : " Madame Victoire, since I have discovered that one of your invalid officers is my own brother, I trust you will not refuse me the privilege of nursing him." Madame's countenance blanched. But when was her Belf- possession at fault j She recovered herself gracefully. " Your brother ! My dear Mademoiselle, what a charming accident ! Your brother ! Ah, the young capitaine ! Mademoiselle, I congratulate you. He is my ideal of a handsome, bold knight." What mado Father Antoine's face darken at this ? The pale, close-shaven grave man became for the nonce another being. A new puzzle. But then everything about madame was a puzzle. In the varied events of the day Terese and I forgot it. In the first place, the surgeon pronounced Captain Rose's convalescence so far advanced that he was able to Bit up, and he begged of his sister to let him see the young lady who had heen instrumental in reuniting them. So I was privately brought in. " I am glad to know you, Miss Peyton," and he clasped my hand and locked up at me. The haggard face would soon be handsome. My hero pleased me. "I can't thank you enough," he added. " Consider me your sworn knight henceforth and for ever."

" Softly, Arthur," said his sister. " Sho is a rebel. "

"She is a woman and loves you. I forgive her."

" For loving me ?" said Miss Rosearchly. " " No, for being a rebel."

" I d^n't want any forgiveness for that," I said, my §0.1 them blood rising. " I'll forget it then," said he, gently. " I can never forget it," I said, a tide of recollections rushing upon me. "My father gave his life for what he thought a just cause, and I should bo an ungrateful daughter if 1 ceased to love that cause."

He looked at mo pityingly. " Forgive mo, Miss Peyton. I wonld not for tho world wound you. I desire only to show my gratitude to you for your great service to me. Let us be personal friends, though we are political enemies."

I could not resist this, and so it waa settled.

This wns one event. In the next place, Colonol Fielding did mo the honor to inquire for Miss Poyton. He had known my father in Congress, and would bo glad to pay his rospeots to his daughter. And so, howevor unwilling sho might be, madame was obliged to sond for me.

That was the beginning of a series of pleasant days. Tho summer heats presently came on. Tho few pupils who wore not already gone dopartod. In fact, madamo's school was virtually broken up. But Toreso and I, because wo had nowhore else to go, remained. Tho groat houno was no longer silent or kept in, restraint. A half dozen officers, and among thorn Colonel Fielding, took lodgings with madamo, and her incomo from tho rent, and board must havo been equal to that drawn from her school.

And sho proved a princoly hostoss. Tho real powor of tho woman o&mo ouk. now. Her social tact waa wonclorfuL Sho charmed all, and ruled so gracefully that her subjects submitted without a murmur. Wo wore gay ; wo had charade* and petite dramas ; wo danced and sang,, and Toreso flirted an it was her nature todo. And amid it all Father Antoino came* and went, tho tamo gravo, silent, pale,, gray shadow. I don't know whon it first dawned upon mo that in all this gay company thero waa no presence that Oolonol Fiolding lovod so woll m that of Alice Koao. His oyo •ought her the moment he entered too

B^sft was packing her trunk that*night, a note^was put' into her hands. 1 She read ft "Now isfi?t this shameful 1" sle cried presently, and burst into a passion of tears. < ' ■.'<''' ' ■ • ; Terese picked up the discarded paper. It was from madame. "Since this morning," it read, "Madame Victoire has learned that no permits will at present be granted for leave to go out of the city. Perhaps, under these circumstances, Miss Rose will be disposed to recall her resignation. / In that case madame still considers Miss Rose a teacher in the seminary.". ' " Shameful indeed ! She did it, Miss Rose. People have gone North freely until now. Ah ! madame is not crazy." , Alice Rose cried, but how could I do so -when this little manoeuvre of madame's was the cause of keeping her with us, for Miss Rose had no friends anywhere in the South, and her only alternative was to remain in the school.

After this, things could never be quite the same. There was a hostile power in the midst, and madame distrusted it. The espionage was more rigorous than

ever. ' ' ■ By-and-by we were quite cut off from the outside world. Alice Rose longed for n«ws from her friends. One or two Northern girls who had not been withdrawn in season now stayed perforce. There were battles and rumors of battles. Our little community shared in the excitement, the anxiety, the alarm of the .whole country. Occasionally a letter came with a heavy, black seal, or a telegram, and then some girl was sent for to the parlor, and came back weeping. At such times I trembled and Terese turned white, for every male relative she had was in the army. At last the blow fell. A loud ring came one day to the door. This was common enough ; the bell rang loudly many times a day. But this ring somehow paralyzed me. I let fall my book and looked hopelessly to Alice Rose.

" My dear, don't look so," she said instantly. "It may not be for you." But it was. Madame herself looked in.

"Mademoiselle Peyton and Mademoiselle Lavalle," she said, in the smooth voice in which I have no doubt she would have prophesied her own demise. Terese and I looked at each other. Then, fast clasping hands we went out. In the parlor Madame read the fatal telegram. There had been a terrible battle, and Colonel Peyton and Major Lavalle had fallea. ome! we were sisters in misery then. Miss Rose comforted usj but no one could lift the shadow.

Soon commands were received from the guardian whom my father had appointed, that I was to remain with madame. Terese, too, staid. Ono by one the rest dropt away till our number was thinned one-half.

At last one day there came astounding news. The Yankees had taken New Orleans. Their troops occupied the city ; their vessels lay at ease in the harbor. Madame looked pale and held mysterious conferences with Father Antoine. Miss Rose laughed and cried for joy. " You do not love the South," I said, reproachfully. " You would be glad to be among your own people again ?" " 31ad !" she echoed. " Glad as a sinner would be of peace. " "What should I do if you left us ? " I cried, the sense of my desolation breaking over me afresh.

"Go with me. Be my little sister, Josie ; I love you !"

Then I put my arms around her neok and in the sweet words of tho old Scriptures naid :

" Whither thou goest I will go, and thy people shall be my people." I said madame held long conforoncos with Father Antoine. One of these was held one evening, end the next morning the beautiful flag of the Confederacy was missing from its place, and the Stars and Stripes floated there. Tt was an old banner, stained and torn, but it was the Stars and Stripes. It served to display madamo's loyalty. At least it was supposed to do so.

Miss Rose was half wild with joy. But presently she grow restless. " My brother was in this corps," she said. "He should sook me out if he is living I" And then she would tell me stories of that young captain, tho pride of her faraway home. She had a photograph takon before she came South, a handsome, boyish face, full of intelligence and spirit. Somehow this young man assumed horoio proportions in my eyes. I echoed tho wards almost constantly upon his sister's lips: "Why doesn't ho come? I wish ho wonld come !"

Ono day, about a week aftor Madame Viotoire's opinions underwent »uch a remarkable change, Miss Rosa was called to the parlor. She came back radiant — for oron her calm, impassivo faoa could shine with omotion. At dinnor tho reason oamo ont.

It always becomes us to offer succour to the needy and ill, doei it not, father?

g

f

room. Jf she was, there he,,,w,as , cogent, , ""-# not;-a cloud 'was upon him till she,cam r e.^ > But SIS I -found out the secret before Missf Bose guessed it. ' I was happy to 'give nay dear friend to this handsome,' Btalwart Yankee soldier. Bat what did madame' think? Suspicion made me sharp-sighted. I Boon came to the conclusion that madame had what her, people call agrande passion for Colonel Fielding, and that she would sweep Miss Rose aside, if she came in her way, as carelessly 1 as she would a cobweb. I tested her one day. The two were walking up and down the verandah. "I wonder how Captain Rose likes his sister's prospects ?" I said carelessly. " Prospects ! What ? That ugly Yankoe word ! Mademoiselle, explain yourself," said madame, bending a fiery glance upon me. " Surely madame has noticed Colonel Fielding's penchant for Misa Rose," I said, softly. ''They are a charming pair, pair blonde fairness . contrasts so beautifully with his tawny beauty." " Penchant ! Ha, ha ! Miss Rose is forward ; these Northern girls are. But the Colonel ! Mademoiselle does not know. Mademoiselle is new— so new to Booiety. I beg she will not misinterpret any attentions she may herself receive." X could see that madame trembled from head to foot. But she had given my pride * sharp thrust, and doubtless that consoled her. At least I saw no difference in her demeanor. A few days after this Miss Rose did not come, down to breakfast. I went up as soon as we were through, and found her Btill in bed. She was looking ill. There was a bright color on each cheek, and about her mouth and temples the peculiar whiteness which indicates disease. But I had hardly time to ask a question before the door opened and madame came in. "Is my dear Miss Rose ill ? " Bhe said, sweetly, and bent to kiss her. Then she shook up the pillows and opened the window for fresh air ; did, in short, all that I came to do, ignoring me utterly. Alice Rose did not come down that day nor the next. The madame herself asked the surgeon to look in upon her. He did bo, and pronounced her illness of small account — a little debility arising from the warmth of the weather, and perhaps overexcitement and anxiety in the past. A few days' rest and some simple tonic would cure her. , , Why, then, did an indefinable suspicion haunt me ? 1 could not bear to leave madame alone with her, and yet is was impossible for me to hinder it. She was indeed a capital nurse, light-footed, vigilant, deft and calm. Miss Rose declared that her mother could not tend her more kindly. Yet sho drooped day by day. The surgeon looked grave. New symptoms arose that baffled him. " Has she taken anything to-day except the medicine I ordered ? " he said one evening. " Nothing, doctor, except a few spoon fuls of chicken broth. Do you think that could hurt her? Prny look at it." And madame brought the bowl for his inspection. The doctor looked, tasted, and set it down impatiently. " No, no ; that could not hurt her ! He walked back to the bed, nnd looked long and earnestly upon the patient. She had lost flesh rapidly within ft few dayß ; hereyes were sunken ; there was a pinched, worn, suffering look, that became every hour more marked. It was clear that the doctor was baffled. He went away at last, madame attending him to the door. I had been a silent witness of all ; but now that the time of action was past, I bitterly reproached myself for my cowardice. Why did I not boldly divulge my horrible suspicions, even in madamo's presence? Only, because, in spite of myßelt', she had gained over mo, as over others, an ascendancy which it was almost impossible to resist. But I hated mysolf for my weakness, and I sat down by the bedside, and, hiding my face, cried away my shamo. I heard in&damo open tho door and look in, then softly shut it and glido away. Sho was off duty for the time. I must I rouse myself and consider what was to bo j done. j 1 oponod the door and looked into tho entry. Madamo was not in sight; but there was Colonel Fielding, just coming in at tho outiido door. I took a imddim resolution. I beckoned to him. Ho camo up softly. " How is sho this morning ? ho askod, with a look of tondor unxioty.

"Gome in and see." Ho seomod snrprisod for ft momont, but presently followed me into tho room. I saw his countenance chango aa ho drow near tho bed. . , "My God 'is sho so ill ? " And then he stooped down nnd kissed hor, muttering some inarticulate words. Sho never stirred from Iho stupor in which mho lay. Prosontly ho rose up. His eyes wero Streaming, "0, whit if it J"

w ;^Sh,e isilyipg— she is : being.murdered«! fy I said'^assjlonatelyrYf'' ';,• „;_! '.^ ' ,}',[- • gazed; at 1 me, in, .blank astonishment." ■ "Murdered !'" lie echoed in' a stranfe, voice. "' !' , " '"* " '■" ," „ • At that instant I heard madame's voice in the entry. My instinctive fear of her, arose instantly. ' ' ' , ' * > ' " 0, you must go — go — she is coming !. But do not go away. Meet me in an hour on the verandah."

At first he would have resisted), and stood his ground, but I think my frightened looks prevailed. ' I had just hurried him out by another door, When madame entered by the one in ordinary use. She saw, I perceived, that something' was amiss ; but she could not guess what. All her keen glances could not discover my secret. An hour afterwards I thought she was established in the sick room for the night, and I slipped down to keep my appointment. It was quite dark now ; a warm miat was in the air, and the few stars shone but dimly j the verandah, shaded by a luxuriant growth of wistarias and other climbers, was in profound darkness. I heard Colonel Fielding's voice in a whisper before I saw him.

" I have waited for you, Miso Peyton. I am inexpressibly anxious to know what you meant. Is it possible you think there is any one here who iB practising on that sweet girl's life." He spoke scarcely above a whisper, but the intense feeling of his voice made me dread | lest [some one should overhear. Luckily, I thought, Father Antoine was away. But we would be cautious ; so I said :

" Come a little further this way. The parlor is empty, and the room over it is unoccupied." We stepped along softly till we were opposite the bay window. Then we both stood still and my heart beat hard and fast.

The bay window was open from top to bottom. The curtain was pushed slightly aside to admit the air, and showed a wax candle burning dim within the room. It Bhowed also madame — madame, whom 1 had thought watching over her patient — in her night wrapper, and in close and earnest conversation with Father Antoine. I trembled violently, and clung to Colonel Fielding's hand. " Shall we go elsewhere?" he whispered. But the next instant he stood still and listened intently, for he heard his own name pronounced by Father AnWne's lips, and coupled with such an. imprecation.

" You need not curao the Colonel, Antoine," said madame, contemptuously. " 'Tis true he has those gifts which most men — you, too, my poor Antoine — lack ; but that should not excite your rage." " Hush, Adele ! " And the priest lifted his hand warningly. "I have borne much from you, but this 1 will not bear. Moreover, "you shall not ruin yourself. You shall not indulge this passion for the Yankee Colonel. Adele, it is folly. He is colder than ice to you ; he worships the English teacher." She seemed to quiver with anger. " Will he worship hor in the grave, do you think I Will his love avail her in her coffin ?" she hissed out.

" Adele, for Heaven's sake, be careful ! You are watched. Those two girls suspect you. Hark ! there may be spies upon us now."

The father rose suddenly and approached the window. We drew further into the shadow of the vines. Father Antoine peerod out. The wind went sobbing through the wistaria and among the close clustorinsi trees. Father Antoine could discover nothing. " You need not foar, Antoine. Terese Lftvelle and Josio Peyton are both sound asleep. I saw them asleep before I came horo"'

Fat hor Antoine seemed to hesitate; but I suppose he conclnded that madame's perspicacity could not have boon misled. He went back, and they talked more freely. Madame assuming a wheedling tono.

" Now, Antoino, be good. You know I shall dotest this Yankee Colonol if you givo mo timo to come to it," she said, with a low laugh. "But, for the present,! swear I will not bo thwarted. I have always hated that meok- faced girl. Has sho not confounded me before the whole school ? I toll you I hato hor ! " *' But, Adolo, you will be discovered. Thoro will bo an examination, and you will bo suapoctfid.'* I felt my hand olnspod in a grip of iron; but I was insensible to pain, and I hold my broath for tho noxt word. " Thoro will bo no examination, and if thoro wore, I toll you that |antimony doos not reveal itself— will not to such skill at this Yankee doctor possesses," said ntadamo.

Father Antoine sighed audibly. " Adolo, give it up. Lot tho girl llvo. Bo content with my love." She made no reply, but t&t tapping hor foot upon the oarpot. « It gooi to my hoart to wo thi* donV'UllW.

r-ffYourAeartV^ echoed* matfaniefi&tt 1 fine^orn.,;,,;' -w* <.;,■ in -a; sr'un^j.M'hlfid 1 a ( *J% has;beat truly- foi? ,you, ( .Adole,ffor twenty, years., I have .sacrificed t honor; r^igion,.eVerything',foryQn»,'V'\'i',. . ,'i X f ' f ' You did it of your own choice. " , i '".,'**'! did not! You, beautiful, fiend,' witch, sorcereßS, x ybu compelled me,!.'? < < At this point I missed Colonel Fielding from my side. I did not know what was coming; I hardly breathed., I let the words of this unholy pair pass unheeded. ■ After a time, long or short, I hardly knew which it was/llghts suddenly flashed through the hall', the parlor door, .was flung wide, and Colonel Fielding strode in, followed by two soldiers. Madame was upon her feet in an instant. " Colonel Fielding !" ; '.'Silence, traitress, murderess! You ar© arrestedi or attempt to murder ! Make ready, madame, to accompany these men." Madame's burning eye's were on his face. She was whiter than marble, but her composure forsook her for only a single instant.'"'. . . , .' "Your schemes are discovered," said the Colonel. "You," turning to Father Antoino, " will be held as a witness." But the father dropped upon his knees. "0 spare hor, spare her! he pleaded. "I will take care that she leaves the country. She shall do you no more harm. I implore you to have mercy." " Mercy for Buch fiendish cruelty ! " Madame's voice broke in. " At least I may be allowed to retire to my room for a moment. You would not take a lady away from her Home at midnight without granting her that. You need not fear that I will try to escape." And she smiled proudly. The colonel assented, but ordered tho soldien to accompany her up stairs and wait at her door. She preceded them as a queen might do. They followed respectfully at a distance. She reached the landing at the head of the staira. Then we heard a fall. The soldiers reached her and raised her first. I rau up. Through the oriel window came the odor of peaches. What was it? " She has fainted!" said one of the men. Something fell from her dress to the floor. " No, she is dead. It was in that vial!" They lifted her up gently, and carried her down stairs and laid her upon a sofa in the parlor. She looked very reautiful and placid. Death had done his work Bwiftly and kindly. While we st >od around, awed and silent, Father Antoino came near. He stooped and kissed her cheek. "Sho was a lady," ho said softly. "Princely blood ran in her vains. She has known how to die bravely." Two hours later, when all the house was aware of the awful event, I was passing through the hall, and was stayed by the heart-breaking sobs. It was Father Antoine, who knelt upon the floor beside the woman ho had loved, forgetting past unkindness, remembering only the old tenderness and truth.

Alice Rose recovered and became the wife of Colonel Fielding a few months later. Terese Lavelle deserted her people for a Northern home, won away by tho potency of love. And to end with a bit of autobiography, when Arthur Rose was ordered North to now service, I found that srood-by was too hard a word to be spoken. So I trußt never to speak it to him until that day, when, to the one or the other of us, all earthly things grow faint and fado, and farewell is said to them all. Of Ffl'her Antoine— -chance news came to me of a little pale man in gray, who did holy service on the battle-field and in hospital, and was not awed by danger, or dishoartoned by hardship. It was the Father. Thus the shadow flitted through the war and was missed. False to many thingn which should have been sacred, he was true to his love »nd his religion.— Ballou's Monthly for March.