The morning star and Catholic messenger., 1877-11-25

tired, abe walked to the window and look al
out; but her thoughts were fixed upon Adhe
mar. and she could no longer disguise ne fac
that her feelings toward him were very muci
"How have been mistaken, !" thought she
" in believing him q selfsh egotistl Th
in the unmistakabie attachment of Mime. Duva
| and all his people. And his little nieces-hop
| devoted they are to him and he to them
Noble Adhemar! His heart aeems formed fol-
domestic happiness. Yet he has been forced
| to do violence to his ipolinstions by marrying
| one so uucongenial myself. Notwithstand
| ing all this, how he forgets his own sorrows tc
| soace mine aud render me happy! How un-
! selfish, how tboughtful he 10 of me, how deli
cate his attentions! / am fully convinced that
he has been slandered, and that his conduct is
in perfect conformity with his principles. Bot
what mnst he think of me. educated as have
been He must certainly regard me as per-
son utterly incapable of ever sympathizipg
with his tastes and pureuits, or of adding in
the slightest to bis happiness. Oh If could
only convince him of my desire to do better. !"
gentle rap &c the door interrupted this
reverie; it was Mme. Duvaf. accompanied by
the two children. After tender embrace,
Blanche followed them to the chapel, where
Adhemar had already taken his place. Resu.
ming her position beside him. as on the pre-
vious evening, she seemed to be inspired with
lis sentiments, and listened attentively to the
reading. 1t treated, however, of SO high q de-
gree of Christian perfection that Blanche oould
but see how far short her own ideas were Of
the reality. These reflections cast q cload upon
her spirits. When ell the assistants had re-
tired, she said to Adhemsr that no one could
ever attein such purity of heart, and she would
almost despair of salvation. did she think IT
demanded the detachment iooulcated in the
mornings reading
"Of ourselves alone" replied Adhemar gem
tly, I'VE could not. We are hot even capable
of single good thought; the Scripture men
tions this truth, and my own experience con-
firms it. The Scripture also says, Be ye per
fect,' and yet it is not contradiction; for no
thing is impossible with Gods assistance,
whch we must fervently implcre if we wish
to reach heaven. You do not seem satisfied
but, my dear Blanche, remember that told
you many of customs and opinions would
strike you as very strange, and you promised
to remain neutral until you had become suffi-
oienty acquainted with them to give an i'm
partial judg nent"
son Ger ainly ; but it is necessary to under-
stand before Judging. aud most confess that
I do not comprehend the meaning of what you
have jnst read. A high degree of Christian
virtue must we dwell constantly upon reli-
gioas subjects, renouneing all innocent plea
sures. ali the ordinary affairs of life r.
" The subject is one which would qoife so
long an explanation that will not enter upon
il this morning as business requires my atten-
tion immediately after breakfasG. Consider it
p arlor let me know the result then I will
give the desired explanation, aid hope yon
will not be offended at my franknees."
oh am ,o not at all offended; only want
"Dear BlsncheH said Mime. Duval. Bat
some, or this queer man will go off without his
breakfast"
Leading the way to the dining.room, che
Blanche to take the head of the
able; and seeing that the young girl blushed
1eeply at complying with this first act Of her
new duties mistress of the house, Mime.
Daval, to relieve her Embarrassment, began an
conversation. Happening to mention
Nine. de ST. Guillaume, Blanche blusbed anew
1t the recollection of what Adhemar had told
Elise, and said:
al am very anxious to know that lady; per-
haps I tan learn from her the meaning of
Christian perfection"
AdhemaE went-out Immediately after break
trees acquainted with the house, the garden
and some of the delightful promenad around.
Every thing displayed q happy combina alton of
elegance with simplicity and comfort. The
house revealed the fact that their servants
had been consulted, well as thst
of strangers towards whom it might bs neces-
sary to exercise the duties of hospitality. A
rustic oratory adorned the garden. Btauche,
who had 1lte q taste for architecture, pm
missed herself the pleasure of d. c)rating it,
and perhaps erecting another. Inc servants
and dependents she met in her walks all ap-
preached her with the same respectful affec-
tion they testified for Nine. DGval, and endea-
vored to recommend themselves to her favor
able attention. Blanche met their advances
kindly, and Nine. Duval sought to increase the
utuai pleasant impression already made by
acq oainting her with various little incidents
of their history. She also gave an account of
Adhemar's effort to rescue his dependants from
life OF Eiisery aud idteuess bysenoou7sEing
the cultivation of the land auu every practI-
cable branch of ind ustry 10 the village.
"He has still much TO do towards the amelio.
ration OF their condition." added she; bat
what he has accomplished already is really
wonderful, considering the little stay he made
at home in his fathers lifetime.'
10 be Continuedi