Part 22 (2/2)
The day of the arrival was memorable in many ways to the young girl. In the morning came an invitation to sing at a concert, an hour later Mrs.
Meadows' brother arrived, laden with good things for the returning invalid, and with a letter from an editor in Wellington, which brought a flush of delighted surprise to Eva's face.
Mrs. Meadows herself came over later.
”The editor is a friend of mine, Eva,” she said; ”and in rescuing a story of yours from Jack, I found him a contributor. Not for what you have done, but for what I'm certain you can do if you will write of life and not sentimental rubbish. You are not offended, are you?”
Eva's eyes glistened. ”Offended with _you_--_you_ who have laden me with kindness, and helped me to find all that is worth having in life! I have learned now to see myself with other eyes than my own.”
Eva's doubts were set to rest once and for ever when she saw the frail mother she had really forgotten, and felt her arms around her as she said, ”My daughter--thank Heaven for such a treasure!”
[Sidenote: Rosette was a girl of singular resolution. Through what perils she pa.s.sed unscathed this story will tell.]
Rosette in Peril
A Story of the War of La Vendee
BY
M. LEFUSE
A loud knocking sounded at the door.
”Jean Paulet,” cried a voice, ”how much longer am I to stand and knock?
Unbar the door!”
”Why, it is Monsieur de Marigny!” exclaimed the farmer, and hurried to let his visitor in.
”Ah, Jean Paulet! You are no braver than when I saw you last!” laughed the tall man who entered, wrapped in a great cloak that fell in many folds. ”I see you have not joined those who fight for freedom, but have kept peacefully to your farm. 'Tis a comfortable thing to play the coward in these days! And I would that you would give a little of the comfort to this small comrade of mine.” From beneath the shelter of his cloak a childish face peered out at the farmer and his wife.
”Ah, Monsieur! that is certainly your little Rosette!” exclaimed Madame Paulet. ”Yes, yes, I have heard of her--how you adopted the poor little one when her father was dead of a bullet and her mother of grief and exposure; and how, since, you have loved and cared for her and kept her ever at your side!”
”Well, that is finished. We are on the eve of a great battle--G.o.d grant us victory!” he said reverently--”and I have brought the little one to you to pray you guard and shelter her till I return again. What, Jean Paulet! You hesitate? Before this war I was a good landlord to you. Will you refuse this favour to me now?” asked de Marigny, looking sternly down on the farmer from his great height.
”I--I do not say that I refuse--but I am a poor defenceless man; 'tis a dangerous business to shelter rebels--ah, pardon! loyalists--in these times!” stammered Jean Paulet.
”No more dangerous than serving both sides! Some among this republic's officers would give much to know who betrayed them, once, not long ago.
You remember, farmer? What if _I_ told tales?” asked de Marigny grimly.
”Eh! but you will not!” exclaimed the terrified man. ”No, no! I am safe in your hands; you are a man of honour, Monsieur--and the child shall stay! Yes, yes; for your sake!”
De Marigny caught up Rosette and kissed her. ”Sweetheart, you must stay here in safety. What? You are 'not afraid to go'? No, but I am afraid to take you, little one. Ah, vex me not by crying; I will soon come to you again!” He took a step towards the farmer. ”Jean Paulet, I leave my treasure in your hands. If aught evil happen to her, I think I should go mad with grief,” he said slowly. ”And a madman is dangerous, my friend; he is apt to be unreasonable, to disbelieve excuses, and to shoot those whom he fancies have betrayed him! So pray you that I find Rosette in safety when I come again. Farewell!”
But before he disappeared into the night, he turned smiling to the child. ”Farewell, little one. In the brighter days I will come for thee again. Forget me not!”
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