Frederica and her Guardians Part 29

"And in the Queen's dominions, as Dixen said," echoed Frederica hopefully.

"And I'll keep the laddie safe, though the whole Inquisition were after him. That's no' just the name they get here, I daresay; but I'll keep the laddie, if he'll bide."

"You cannot go home, Hubert dear; for Madame Precoe is there, and Father Jerome; and though he is so smooth and pleasant, I do not trust him; and, indeed, I don't know what to do. Will you stay, dear Hubert?"

"Oh, yes, I'll stay, if you make a point of it. But there is no danger for me," said Hubert loftily.

"Did you like staying at the school, my lad? Were they good to you?"

"At first I did not like it. Oh, yes, they were kind enough. They're a rough lot, however, and I would not like to go back, since Fred objects to it."

The door opened, and Frederica uttered a cry. It was only Miss Robina, however, not one of the servants, as she had feared. Of course there were more exclamations, and the story was told again, but the part dwelt on now was the taking away of Tessie from Mrs Glencairn's, and sending her to the convent, without even telling her sisters.

"We did not know it till this morning, and I was angry and frightened.

We could have done nothing, even if we had known. There is no one but Mr Brandon who has a right to say anything, and he does not like to interfere with Mr St. Cyr. But I think that has been done by Mr Jerome and Madame Precoe, and not Mr St. Cyr. I should be in despair if I thought Mr St. Cyr had turned against us."

"Have they heard that Mr Vane is worse?" asked Miss Robina anxiously.

Frederica turned pale: "They all ask that. Dear Miss Robina, do you think he is really worse. What must we then do?"

"My darling, don't be troubled. No harm can really come to you. It is not to be believed. Have you seen Mr St. Cyr? He is a man of high character. He will do nothing wrong--nothing unlawful, surely."

"He has been ill. They thought him dying. I have not seen him for a long time. Oh! if papa would only come home! No, I am not going to cry. But I am tired, and--yes--I am afraid."

"When had you your dinner?" asked Mistress Campbell gravely. Frederica laughed.

"I don't know; I don't think I had any."

"And no wonder you are faint-hearted. Just you lie down and rest you, and you will be another creature when you get your tea."

But Frederica was too excited and anxious to rest. She enjoyed her tea, however, and so did Hubert. He had evidently not been used to dainty fare of late, and he yielded to Mistress Campbell's entreaties to eat, with entire willingness and enjoyment Fred found her strength and courage renewed when she rose to go. "I will come again soon, if I am not carried away too," said she laughing.

"My dear, it is no laughing matter," said Mistress Campbell gravely.

"May the Lord preserve you all?"

"He will, Selina says. She is not afraid. Selina is better than I am,"

said Fred humbly.

"But then it's no' our deserts we are to lippen to. You'll be cared for, never fear. He'll give His angels charge, and He'll no' leave it altogether to them either. He'll raise some one up to take the orphan's part."

Miss Robina promised to come and see her soon, and bring her tidings of Hubert, who was already so sound asleep, that he could not be awakened to say good-bye; and somewhat rea.s.sured and comforted, Frederica went away.

But how lonely and friendless she felt, as she went down the familiar street! By some a.s.sociation, which it would not have been easy to trace, there came back to her the remembrance of their unexpected holiday at Easter. Oh, how long it seemed, since these two happy children had gone dancing down the street! How light-hearted they had been! how fearless of all possible evil!

At the corner of the street down which she and Tessie had run to avoid the chance of meeting Mrs Ascot, she paused a moment. Could it be possible that their old friend who had been so kind to them that day, should have turned against them? She remembered how he had walked on with them, and the promise he had made to help her if ever she were in trouble.

"And he did help me ever so many times. I cannot believe that he knows all that is making us unhappy and afraid. I will go and see him now."

In a minute she was standing on the steps that went down to the wide door of the house. It was not open as she had found it once before, when she came to him with her troubles. But when it opened at the sound of the bell, she gave the servant no time to say as usual, that her master could see no one; but pa.s.sing her softly and quickly, sprang upstairs like a bird. It was still quite light out of doors, but the pa.s.sage was dark, and so was the room into which she went. There was a fire in the grate, however; and before she saw Mr St. Cyr, she saw his shadow on the wall, and paused a moment to get breath. Then as she heard a footstep at the door, she came forward. Mr St. Cyr must have been asleep, she thought, for at first he looked at her in a wondering way, as though he did not know her, and she therefore hastened to speak.

"Are you better, Cousin Cyprien?"

"It is not Theresa--is it?" said he, with little pauses between the words, as though he did not find it easy to utter them.

"Not Theresa, but Fred. Are you better, cousin?"

"Ah! my little cousin--who comes to me--in her trouble--but who does not come to me in mine."

"I have been here often, but you were too ill to see me, they said always. Are you better now?"

"Yes--I am better, I think. Once they told me--I was dying--" He paused.

"And were you afraid, Cousin Cyprien?" said Frederica, looking with awe into his changed face.

"Was it fear that I felt? There was fear, and a thrill of something that was not fear. Now--I said--I shall know the mystery of death--and the beyond."

"Cousin, mania was not afraid. Even at the last, when death was very near, she was not afraid, because--"

In her earnestness she had knelt down beside the old man; and now, as her voice failed, she laid her face down on his knee. His trembling right hand was laid on her head.

"So--she has gone! She has solved the mystery."

"Did you not know, Cousin Cyprien? Did not Mr Jerome tell you? He feared to grieve you."

"Doubtless--it was for that or for some other good reason. I am glad I did not die."

"But mama was not afraid, after she knew how Jesus loved us and came to die for us."

"Tell me of your mother, and the end."

"She was not afraid," repeated Frederica. "Miss Agnace was afraid for her, and Mr Jerome and Sister Magdalen came often, and told her many things she ought to do. But she was never afraid, after the old man told us how 'the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin.' It is in the Bible, you know, and G.o.d taught her, I think G.o.d and Selina. And it is for us all--the blood of Jesus--for those who think as Miss Agnace does, and you, and all of us. Selina will tell you. May I bring Selina, Mr St. Cyr?"

"Tell me about your mother," said he.

Frederica told him about how afraid her mother had been, and how she longed to know the way to heaven. And then she told how she had brought the old man in from the storm, never thinking what wonderful things he was to tell them, and how after that her mother was at rest. She told him how she had grown weaker, so slowly that they could see no change in her from day to day, and how calm and peaceful she was through all the time.

"Not even the thought of leaving us alone, when we feared papa was dying, made her unhappy; for she said, 'G.o.d will take care of my children, against all who would do them harm.' And so He will," added Frederica earnestly; and as she raised her eyes, they fell on the face of Mr Jerome, standing in the shadow of the door. She rose hastily.

"Must you go? Sit by me for a little while," said her old friend.

The door closed softly, shutting out the priest, as she believed, and Frederica sat down at the old man's feet again.

"Does the time seem long, Cousin Cyprien?" asked she.

"It seemed long in pa.s.sing, but to look back on, it seems like a blank.

I must get strong again. Is your father dead too?"

"Papa! Oh, no! He was better when we heard last, but it is a long time now. You have not heard that papa is worse?"