I
promise you that I will be patient, and submit myself without a murmur
of revolt to whatever Heaven wishes me to be."
It was true grace which spoke within her. The trial was great, but she
was able to conquer, from the effects of the education she had received
and the excellent example of the home life in which she had grown up.
Why should she doubt the morrow, when until this present moment everyone
near her had been so generous and so tender towards her? She prayed
that she might be able to have the wisdom of Catherine, the meekness
of Elizabeth, the chastity of Agnes; and re-comforted by the aid of
the saints, she was sure that they alone would help her to triumph over
every trouble. Was it not true that her old friends the Cathedral, the
Clos-Marie, and the Chevrotte, the little fresh house of the Huberts,
the Huberts themselves, all who loved her, would defend her, without her
being obliged to do anything, except to be obedient and good?
"Then, dear child, you promise me that you will never act contrary to
our wishes, and above all against those of Monseigneur?"
"Yes, mother, I promise."
"You also promise me not to see this young man again, and no longer to
indulge in the foolish idea of marrying him?"
At this question her courage failed her.
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