The Chevalier's daughter : $b or, An exile for the truthGuernsey, Lucy Ellen
History
The Chevalier's daughter : $b or, An exile for the truth
Guernsey, Lucy Ellen
France -- History -- Louis XIV, 1643-1715 -- Juvenile fiction; Historical fiction; Huguenots -- France -- Juvenile fiction
"I never said he was," answered Andrew dryly, and then the conversation
stopped.
The next morning I went out very early into the lane to look for a pair
of scissors which I had dropped the day before, when I was joined by my
cousin.
"Vevette," said he, "is there no place from which we can view this
procession in safety? I have a great curiosity about it."
"Oh, yes, we can do so from the top of the rock at the end of our lane,
if you like," I answered. "But we must make haste thither, for they
will soon be on their way."
I was all the more ready for the adventure as I hoped to obtain a
glimpse of Lucille.
We were soon safely hidden among the tall bushes and wild vines which
covered the top of the rock, but not too soon, for we were hardly
settled before the head of the procession appeared in sight. It had
been joined by pilgrims from all parts of Normandy, and looked like a
little army. The cross-bearer came first, as usual, then a company of
priests, loudly chanting as they walked, then banners without number,
and I know not what devices besides of images and angels and what not.
Then came a company of women, headed by the nuns from the hospital,
each leading by the hand one of the new converts, as they were called,
in bitter derision.
The poor little Luchon was there, pale and thin as a shadow. Her wasted
hand held a rosary like the rest, but it drooped listlessly by her
side. Either the sad-faced nun who led her by the other hand did not
think it worth while to have a public contest with her, or she had
tried and failed, for she did not interfere with the child, and, I even
fancied, looked at her with an eye of pity.
Lucille was one of the last. I saw in a moment that she was at least no
happier than she had been at home, for the dark shade was on her face
which I knew so well. However, she was telling her beads as diligently
as the best of them. As she passed the foot of the rock she looked up.
I had ventured a little nearer the edge than was quite prudent, and our
eyes met for a moment. She made me a warning sign, and then a bitter
smile curled her lips, and she pressed to them with fervor the crucifix
attached to her rosary. Her companion looked up also, but saw nothing,
as I had shrunk back from my dangerous position. That was the last time
I saw my old playmate for many a long day, though I heard from her once
or twice, as I have reason to remember.
There were more banners and more pilgrims, but I saw none of them.
I had retreated to the back of the cliff and thrown myself down on
the moss in a fit of bitter weeping. I had loved Lucille dearly,
despite our many quarrels, and I believe she loved me as much as her
self-absorbed nature would let her love any one. Hers was an asking
love, always thinking more of what it was to get than of what it had to
give.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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