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

niece BAlu sue, pressing BInuOn6 To n6
heart with the tenderness of mother. MAY
every one here contribute to your happin ess. :
She then cordially embraced hOr nephew
whilst two charming little girls hung afec
tioustely about his neck. All the servants ap
Pesred delighted to see him, and he had a
pleasant word for each one. "CAn this be the
heartless man he has been depicted And
these children, In ecstasies at his rsturn-are
| they not those of the sister he has been 40
oused of treating so ornelly 7" thought Blanche
She began TO believe that Adhemar had indeed
| been slandered.
"Here are my children" ssid he, present.
ing them to her /; "they have no mother, alas
Blanche, will you love themT
| Very much," said Blanche, with tears in
] her eyes and overcoming her emotion, she
devoted herself to the children. She listened
| to their innocent prattle, she loaded them with
caresses, aud soon succeeded in gaining their
hearts. Adbemar seemed please at her fond
ness for them. In about an hour nurse came
| to take them to bed. and Blanche. left alone
with the two persons she most feared, felt
timid and embarrassed. Scarcely knowing
what to do, she went to the window and look
ed out upon the beautiful landscape, now
gilded by the last rays of the setting sun.
Nine Nine: Dnyal approached her softly, and
each other, my DEAR" said she. 81 know
what troubles yoH. You also have some
slight acquaintance with me-enough, at
least, to know that have nothing to do in
this world except prepare for the next, and,
whilst awaiting my summons, strive to increase
the happiness of all around me. l know all
your repugnance to coming here, and think
II very natural but try to for get the false re-
ports that have been circulated, and which are
truly calculated to destroy the confidence that
should reign amongst members of one house
hold. Suspend your Judgment until you are
sufficiently acquainted with us to judge for
yourself. No doubt you will fad that we
have many faults; bot, in spite of this, we
still hope to convince you that you have no
sincerer, truer friends than ourselves"
Blanche. responding to the friendly pressure
of the band that held her own, gently replied
that she would epdeavor to forget everything,
except the hearty welcome extended her and
the testimonies Of regard that had greeted
her on every eide. And" she added beg
you also to forget whatever prejudice you
may have had against me-"
Niue, Davat was about 10 answer, when
servant entered aud whspersd u ieg words
to Adhemer. "Banche,' said the latter,
slightly embarrassed, II must beg your
compliance wirh one of those strange customs
mentioned yesterday"
"Oh certainly she replied, taking his
arm. Mime. Duval followed. They directed
their steps towards the castle chapel, where
flowers lights, and incense surrounding the
Blessed Virgins statue, increased the
solemnity of the place, and really |
Inspired Blanche with feelings, of respect.
Adhemar read the prayers in q clear, |
distinct voice, and all present responded ex- |
oept Blanche. Reoollecting with confusion |
how often she bad encouraged st. Claire ir- |
reverence In ridculing these practices, which !
now appeared in such o different light, she |
was ashamed to answer with the others, lest |
Adhemar who had witnessed her conduct, |
should consider her q hypoorite.
Immediately after prayers he read aloud q |
pious meditation, stopping to comment upon |
and explain any passage that he supposed un- |
intelllgi6le to his servants. blanche herself |
hsd as much need of these explanations as any
one present; for since her tenderest infancy
that rs, since her mother's desth-she had re- |
oeived no religious instruction. The vivid i'm |
pressions OF that early period returned, and |
her heart n6natrAtaH With mi oil cd faal |
ings of awe aud devotion. The reading |
Adhepsr knelt down again, and me. !
dated in silence upon the subject just fur |
nished, ell the rest following his example. |
Then their voices were waited heaven ward in
q beautiful hymn to the holy Virgin.
When they had quietely left the chapel Nine.
hand, euquired how she liked their strange
customs.
Some Of them very much che answered.
And which do you not lkef"
40 madam! do not really dislike any;
but these c&pticles, it appears 10 me"
WIN yon do me- the favor. Blanche, of read
ing this passage from the Evangelist :" said
Adhemar. " l considered these things too sa
cred to discuss with St. Clair, whose irreve-
renee knew no bounds"
And when they had sung a hymn, they
went forth 10 the Moout Of Olives" she read
aloud
If We remember" continued Adhemar.
funder what circumstances and who it is that
sanctioned this act of piesy by His example, it
No, monsienr." sue replied, blushipg at
the thought of her past conduct. Adbemsr
soon changed the subject; but when left to
bersef, Banche's nina involuntarily reverted
to it, and. feeling hubbled in comparing her
conduct with his she earnestly hoped that the
next day would afford her some opportunity of
raising herself in his esteem.
Next morning Mile. Martin, whilst helping
her mistress dress, AS all eaRerness to express
her opiuion OF the new residence and its in-
mates.
40 Dadame!" said she, "tbey are all so kind
here! The housekeeper came to me and said
that must Try to feel quite much at home
as when at Belcastel, and m ust never be back
ward in expressing my wants. Nine. Duval
told her TO say 30. She is devoted to Nine.
Davaf, to whom she ssys she is indebted for
more than earthly happiness, She also says,
madame, that if you treat her as you do me,
she will be willing 30 serve you on bended
knee"
Seeing that Blanche was no unwilling list
ener, Mile Martin continued:
- NJ. de Bslcastel appears to be the idol of
all his people. They would die in his service
1t seems, however, that he is very strict in re-
gard to their religious duties; on making an
engagement with them he always lays down
his exaotiops on this point. He even sends
them away when they fail to comply with
theRe reuuirementa hnt not Nrithopt