After Edouard's departure, Josephine de Beaurepaire was sad, and weighed down with presentiments.She felt as soldiers sometimes feel who know the enemy is undermining them; no danger on the surface; nothing that can be seen, met, baffled, attacked, or evaded; in daily peril, all the more horrible that it imitates perfect serenity, they await the fatal match.She imparted her misgivings to Aubertin; but he assured her she exaggerated the danger.
"We have a friend still more zealous and active than our enemy;believe me, your depression is really caused by his absence; we all miss the contact of that young heroic spirit; we are a body, and he its soul."Josephine was silent, for she said to herself, "Why should I dash their spirits? they are so happy and confident."Edouard had animated Rose and Aubertin with his own courage, and had even revived the baroness.
It had been agreed between him and Picard that the latter should communicate with Dr.Aubertin direct, should anything fresh occur.
And on the third day after Edouard's departure, Picard sent up a private message: "Perrin has just sent me a line to say he will not trouble us, as he is offered the money in another quarter."This was a heavy blow, and sent them all to bed more or less despondent.
The next day brought a long letter from Edouard to Rose, telling her he had found his uncle crusty at first; but at last with a little patience, and the co-operation of Martha, his uncle's old servant, and his nurse, the old boy had come round.They might look on the affair as all but settled.
The contents of this letter were conveyed to the baroness.The house brightened under it: the more so that there was some hope of their successful champion returning in person next day.Meantime Perrin had applied to Raynal for the immediate loan of a large sum of money on excellent security.Raynal refused plump.Perrin rode away disconsolate.
But the next day he returned to the charge with another proposal:
and the nature of this second proposal we shall learn from events.
The day Edouard was expected opened deliciously.It was a balmy morning, and tempted the sisters out before breakfast.They strolled on the south terrace with their arms round each other's waists, talking about Edouard, and wondering whether they should really see him before night.Rose owned she had missed him, and confessed for the first time she was a proud and happy girl.
"May I tell him so?" asked Josephine.
"Not for all the world.Would you dare?"Further discussion of that nice point was stopped by the baroness coming out, leaning on Dr.Aubertin.
Then--how we young people of an unceremonious age should have stared--the demoiselles de Beaurepaire, inasmuch as this was their mother's first appearance, lowered their fair heads at the same time like young poplars bowing to the wind, and so waited reverently till she had slightly lifted her hands, and said, "God bless you, my children!"It was done in a moment on both sides, but full of grace and piety, and the charm of ancient manners.
"How did our dear mother sleep?" inquired Josephine.Aubertin interposed with a theory that she slept very well indeed if she took what he gave her.
"Ay, IF," suggested Rose, saucily.
"I slept," said the baroness, "and I wish I had not for I dreamed an ugly dream." They all gathered round her, and she told her dream.
"I thought I was with you all in this garden.I was admiring the flowers and the trees, and the birds were singing with all their might.Suddenly a dark cloud came; it cleared almost directly; but flowers, trees, sky, and birds were gone now, and I could see the chateau itself no more.It means that I was dead.An ugly dream, my children, an ugly dream.""But only a dream, dear mother," said Rose: then with a sweet, consoling smile, "See, here is your terrace and your chateau.""And here are your daughters," said Josephine; and they both came and kissed her to put their existence out of doubt."And here is your Aesculapius," said Aubertin."And here is your Jacintha.""Breakfast, madame," said Jacintha."Breakfast, mesdemoiselles.
Breakfast, monsieur:" dropping each a distinct courtesy in turn.
"She has turned the conversation very agreeably," said the baroness, and went in leaning on her old friend.
But the sisters lagged behind and took several turns in silence.
Rose was the first to speak."How superstitious of you!""I said nothing."
"No; but you looked volumes at me while mamma was telling her dream.
For my part I feel sure love is stronger than hate; and we shall stay all our days in this sweet place: and O Josey! am I not a happy girl that it's all owing to HIM!"At this moment Jacintha came running towards them.They took it for a summons to breakfast, and moved to meet her.But they soon saw she was almost as white as her apron, and she came open-mouthed and wringing her hands."What shall I do? what shall I do? Oh, don't let my poor mistress know!"They soon got from her that Dard had just come from the town, and learned the chateau was sold, and the proprietor coming to take possession this very day.The poor girls were stupefied by the blow.
If anything, Josephine felt it worst."It is my doing," she gasped, and tottered fainting.Rose supported her: she shook it off by a violent effort."This is no time for weakness," she cried, wildly;"come to the Pleasaunce; there is water there.I love my mother.
