The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1870-01-16
CHATTER II.

$50, my child" said the old abbess to Ca
mile, Ego to the infrmary and see Sister Aloyse;
she has something to say to you"
60 Is she going to die?' asked Camille, with
tears in her eyes.
HShe will go to her eternal home soon, but
not to-day. Have no fear, child, but go and
listen carefully to What she tells you"
Camille, with/agitated heart, (for this poor
heart is so quickly stirred at sixteen years y
assembled the staircase which led to the cells of
the nuns. She passed through long corridor
ont of which opened the little doors, all of
which, instead of number or design, bore
some holy image pious inscription. AT the
end of this corridor she found the inlrmary
large room, quiet and retired, whose windows
opened upon the court and garden below. at
this moment it was almost vacant; she found
only one bed occupied, that OF Sister Aloyse
who as she had no fever, had been left by the
infirmarian while she attended vespers In the
chapel. Camille noiscleSsly approached the
bed the curtains of which we're half drawn, so
that Aloyse could see ont. She was sitting up
supported by her pillows, and her hands were
Joined before her the cross of her rosary.
She smiled on the young girl, who tlmidly en-
braced her; and then Camille very earnestly
asked her why she had sent for her to come to
her bedside instead of any other of the girls,
or her friends or companions; for she was
afraid, as naturally breads what. is un-
known. The nun fixed upon her those search
ing eyes which seemed to look through and
beyond anything present, and said with much
sweetness
:" Sit down, Camille 1 have something to
say to YOU" She hesitated but finally said,
"You have never heard any one of your family
speak of me ?"
=. Never answered the child, somewhat sur
prised.
I'll have known something of your family
your father" she said with an effort. But it
was a long time ago, a very long time-before
you were born ] related to your grand
mother Madame Reville"
never saw her, but 1 have seen her great
portrait" said Camille.
Yes, it hangs in the red drawing-room, does
it not ~ asked Sister AloYse, with Il sad smile,
&" All! we'll, Madame Reville received me into
her family as a ladys compauion-a reader
for was poor, and needed some home. Your
father did not live mt home with bis mother
but he came there very frequently"
Here she paused, breathing with difficulty,
but continues.
He wished to marry me- Madame Reville
was opposed to it he insisted saw he would
disobey his mother; 1 afraid for him; l
was afraid for myself So prayed to the good
God. He did not reject my afflicted and desc
late heart. but He-the Divine Consoler-called
me into this home, and placed this holy veil as
n barrier between the world and myself. Here
l found peace purchased sometimes with bit
ter suffering, but real ); for it filed the depths
of my heart it was the price of my sacrifice.
And was able to see in the clear light which
streamed from the Cross, how all joy is deceit
full and all pleasure empty and false. After
two years had passed, l came to cOnsecrate my
self with irrevocable vows to Gods service,
when the friends who now and then came to
see me, and public report, which in our day
finds it's way even into the cloister, told me of
the only thing which had still power to affiict
me. For Camille, your father-but what can
say to you who bear his name! NJ. Reville,
angry at my departure, and grieving for the
loss of the poor creature that l am, sought for
getfulness in dissipation. Undoubtedly, he
forgot mel trust and hope he dd-but he also
forgot his God Your father is not Christian;
nay, he is an enemy to Christianity! Ah! since
the day when first knew that our prayers did
not meet in the pathway to heaven, how have
1 wept, how have prayed, how have 1 done
penance! Alasl my tears, my blood my vigils,
my sufferings-all have not prevailed and
am pierced to the depths of my heart with the
terrible reflection"
She was unable to continue; her voice died
rolled down her checks. Camille, kneeling by
her bedside, wept too for she began to see
what this selE-denying heart had suffered.
Z" Ny child,p finally said the sister after o
/ long Silence, az shall soon die, and there will
then be no one to pray for Linn, since your