The morning star and Catholic messenger., 1877-11-18

rest of the company or not persisted in keep
ing it up, and appealed to Blanche for her
opinion"
she: ~ was thinking Of something elss.n e He
insisted on hearing her views, and she anewer.
ed at last: al can give you my opinion. how
ever, without much reflection: 1t is right to
bestow upon these children all necessary in.
struction but it certainly must be tiresome
to teach and bother with them, / strongly sus.
pect that those who do 50 are aotuated by a
secret love of publicity and praise"
"Ahl Mile. Blanche" said St. Clair, laugh
ing aloud, "your penetr ation has discovered
the myatery. You needed no time for reflection
to reach this wise conclusion"
"a conclusion, however" replied Adhemar In
q severe tone, " at does more credit to one,s
keenness of wit than depth of feeling
Blanche blushed, and with slight incliua.
tion towards him said 4" 1t is fortunate for me-
monsieur, to be so devoid of feeling, or your
compliment might have seemed o bitter onen
And she walked towards the piano to corcssl
the tears she could not restrain.
st. Clair, casting a wrathfol look upon Aahs
mar, followed Blanche. The Chevalier became
peusive and all the ladies regarded him with
scowls. Now, Rose, this is one Of the conse
queuces of your ridiculous Schools" said Nine
de Lsneau to her daughter. You have brought
your friend into great deal of trouble" Per-
shading herself that sbe Was really the cause
of what had happened, Rose. approaching Ad-
hemar, said in q low tone: believe, mon
sieur, that Blaoche was right. may have
been working for praise"
"No, mademoselle, that was not your mo.
sob perhaps if-but, monsieur. don't you
like to hear the piauof' Come, let's draw
near"
The Chevalier followed this amiable young
girl. st. Clair was giving fattering descrip-
tion of the altered circumstances of a wretched
family whom Blanche had rescued from power.
ty and suffering. Adhemar listened attentive
ly. Rose also admired her friend geedaess,-
and every one sought to effsce the dissgreeabfe
impression NJ. de Belcastel's words had made
upon Blanche. But their efforts were fruitless;
nothing could dissipate the cloud upon her
countenance. Begging Rose to play in her
place, she took Elise's arm, and passing her
cousin with distant air, walked to the far end
of the room. Elise, full OF sympathy: said:
'T do not blame you, dear Blanche, for being
| both angry and hurt; but you must try to
| have more control over your feelings"
4" cannot; l never was 30 deeply wound
ed.'
he feels it too,' said Else> pointing to Adhe-
mar, plunged in profound reverie beside
Roae's harp.
Blanche glanced at him, and sighed deeply.
His Sadness" replied she. "does not So
lace mine he must certainly he miserable,
considering his opinion of me. What bright
| future for rs both!"
| That evening, and for several successive
| ones, Adhemar made various Intellectual at
| tempts to recover his lost ground with Blanche
ed to implore pardon, when, almost overcome
she would turn her eyes away. More than
once he essayed @ conversation; but she
avoided him most pointedly.
He was deeply detected and it afforded her
pleasure to see that he betrayed it in every
movement. Adhemar himself perceived this,
and Blanche felt that, if her wounded feelings
! bad touched him, her evident satisfaction at
his discontinue had lessened his good opinion
| of her.
! ITo be Continual