"It is impossible. If indeed there were any guardians legally appointed, that might make the work I have set myself more difficult. Other means would have to be used." "Ah, well! I doubt if ever you can make a nun of `the little Jewess,'" said Madame. "Nothing is farther from my wish than to do that. Her sister shall be a nun and a saint, and if by any miracle of science and skill her blindness may be cured, it shall be so done, that even by that the Church shall receive honour, and her power be extended and strengthened. Your `little Jewess,' your `butterfly,' shall be allowed to shine in society, and to take her fill of the pleasure she tasted last year. A few years with the good sisters first will do much for her. When she is properly submissive to those who have a right to direct her, she shall have her own way. I am not afraid." "And her brothers: what are they to be?" "After ten, or even seven years with the good fathers, they shall choose for themselves." "And if Mr Vane should return? It is not impossible." "It _is_ impossible. Mr Vane is dead." "Dead!" repeated Madame. Even she was shocked at the tidings, or the suddenness of the announcement. "I have known it for a week. Cyprien does not know it yet, but all must know it soon." "And have you come to tell these girls?" "No. They will probably have letters to-night,--the steamer has arrived, I see,--and then no time must be lost. They must not have a chance to talk over their affairs with all the world, who will come to condole with them." "And will you not see them?" "You forget. They decline to see me," said the priest laughing. "I hope to find them in better humour another time." Madame did not laugh. "It is not impossible that all your plans for them may be frustrated after all," said she. "For the moment, it is not impossible. But I shall never, while I live, give up the hope of making them and their wealth of use to the Church, and when I die others will take up the work. There is nothing impossible. They, or their children, or their children's children--and their wealth must be ours." "There is only God Himself stronger than you and the Church, and these children believe Him to be on their side." "They are but children," said the priest, but he frowned darkly at her words, as he turned to go away. Madame sat still, looking after him in silence, Mr Jerome's tidings had moved her more than she would have thought possible. She sat lost in painful thoughts till Miss Agnace came in. She felt that she could not yet meet the questioning eyes of these orphan girls. "I am going out," said she, rising hastily. "If any one calls, the young ladies are not to be seen." She went out immediately and Miss Agnace did not follow her to say to her what she had come to say. "It will keep. Perhaps she need not be told," said she to herself.