Jacqueline, vol 3 | Page 6

thought there must be something romantic in the history of this
newcomer, and would have liked exceedingly to know what it might be.
As a prelude to acquaintance, she offered the young stranger some holy
water when they met in the chapel, a bow and a smile were
interchanged, their fingers touched. They seemed almost friends. After
this, Jacqueline contrived to change her seat at table to one next to this
unknown person, so prettily dressed, with her hair so nicely arranged,
and, though her expression was very sad, with a smile so very winning.
She alone represented the world, the world of Paris, among all those
ladies, some of whom were looking for places as companions, some
having come up from the provinces, and some being old ladies who had
seen better days. Her change of place was observed by the nun who
presided at the table, and a shade of displeasure passed over her face. It
was slight, but it portended trouble. And, indeed, when grace had been
said, Mademoiselle de Nailles was sent for by the Mother Superior,
who gave her to understand that, being so young, it was especially
incumbent on her to be circumspect in her choice of associates. Her
place thenceforward was to be between Madame de X-----, an old, deaf
lady, and Mademoiselle J-----, a former governess, as cold as ice and
exceedingly respectable. As to Madame Saville, she had been received
in the convent for especial reasons, arising out of circumstances which
did not make her a fit companion for inexperienced girls. The Superior
hesitated a moment and then said: "Her husband requested us to take
charge of her," in a tone by which Jacqueline quite understood that
"take charge" was a synonym for "keep a strict watch upon her." She
was spied upon, she was persecuted-- unjustly, no doubt.
All this increased the interest that Jacqueline already felt in the lady
with the light hair. But she made a low curtsey to the Mother Superior
and returned no answer. Her intercourse with her neighbor was
thenceforward; however, sly and secret, which only made it more
interesting and exciting. They would exchange a few words when they
met upon the stairs, in the garden, or in the cloisters, when there was no
curious eye to spy them out; and the first time Jacqueline went out
alone Madame Saville was on the watch, and, without speaking,
slipped a letter into her hand.

This first time Jacqueline went out was an epoch in her life, as small
events are sometimes in the annals of nations; it was the date of her
emancipation, it coincided with what she called her choice of a career.
Thinking herself sure of possessing a talent for teaching, she had
spoken of it to several friends who had come to see her, and who each
and all exclaimed that they would like some lessons, a delicate way of
helping her quite understood by Jacqueline. Pupils like Belle Ray and
Yvonne d'Etaples, who wanted her to come twice a week to play duets
with them or to read over new music, were not nearly so interesting as
those in her little class who had hardly more than learned their scales!
Besides this, Madame d'Avrigny begged her to come and dine with her,
when there would be only themselves, on Mondays, and then practise
with Dolly, who had not another moment in which she could take a
lesson. She should be sent home scrupulously before ten o'clock, that
being the hour at the convent when every one must be in. Jacqueline
accepted all these kindnesses gratefully. By Giselle's advice she hid her
slight figure under a loose cloak and put on her head a bonnet fit for a
grandmother, a closed hat with long strings, which, when she first put it
on her head, made her burst out laughing. She imagined herself to be
going forth in disguise. To walk the streets thus masked she thought
would be amusing, so amusing that the moment she set foot on the
street pavement she felt that the joy of living was yet strong in her.
With a roll of music in her hand, she walked on rather hesitatingly, a
little afraid, like a bird just escaped from the cage where it was born;
her heart beat, but it was with pleasure; she fancied every one was
looking at her, and in fact one old gentleman, not deceived by the cloak,
did follow her till she got into an omnibus for the first time in her
life--a new experience and a new pleasure. Once seated, and a little out
of breath, she remembered Madame Saville's letter, which she had
slipped into her pocket. It was sealed and had a stamp on it; it was too
highly