Frederica and her Guardians; Or, The Perils of OrphanhoodRobertson, Margaret M. (Margaret Murray)
General
Frederica and her Guardians; Or, The Perils of Orphanhood
Robertson, Margaret M. (Margaret Murray)
Orphans -- Fiction
"I almost wish she might have her desire, and go away to England," said
she as she stood looking at her. "She needs something to rouse and
interest her. But perhaps Madame's plan for her would be best."
"What is her plan?" asked Selina quickly. "My child, Madame has given
me no authority to speak of any plan of hers. But I wish there could
come a change of some kind for this poor Miss Frederica."
"She is better, and I don't know why Madame Precoe should take trouble
in making plans for us. What has she to do with us, or our plans?"
"Nay, my child! It is not well to say anything in that voice and
manner. It is not like you. It will all be well, as you often say.
Why should you be afraid?"
"Yes, it will be well," said Selina, and she thought so still, though
she felt that her sister's eyes were wet beneath her kiss. "We must
have patience a little while. It will all be well."
"Yes, it will be well," said Miss Agnace, thinking how Father Jerome had
set himself to the work of saving these children. Yet she sighed, too;
for she had learned to love them dearly, and she longed that they should
be happy, as well as safe. If Father Jerome were permitted to have his
will as to their future life, she feared that suffering must come before
the happiness. She could not help them much, she knew, still she gave
them good counsel, repeated her little legends, and prayed earnestly to
Mary and the saints in their behalf. In her heart she believed it would
be well with them in the end, and in the meantime she longed to comfort
them and to teach them as well. So that night, as the young girls sat
in the darkening room a little sad and dreary, with the tears not very
far from the eyes of either of them, she said softly,--
"My children, do you never comfort yourselves and one another by praying
for your dear mother's soul?"
Frederica looked at her in astonishment, not quite free from anger.
"I do not understand you, Miss Agnace," said Selina gently.
"It would soothe and comfort you, would it not, to feel that you might
still do something for your dear mama?"
"We do what we think would please her by loving one another, and caring
for our brothers and Tessie. We can do nothing more," said Selina.
"Ah! who knows?" said Miss Agnace. "It is dark beyond the grave."
"The grave is dark, but beyond the grave is heaven. Do you know what is
said of it, Miss Agnace? `And the city had no need of the sun neither
of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and
the Lamb is the light thereof.' Frederica, read about it to Miss
Agnace."
But Frederica made no movement.
"Miss Agnace does not care for the Bible. Father Jerome is her Bible.
I am glad he is not mine," said Frederica contemptuously; for she was
not pleased with what Miss Agnace had said. Miss Agnace took no notice.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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