human
In the meantime, said the abbess, with a scrutinising gaze,--
gpt
You will know in good time what I am thinking of, madam: everybody will know.
human
This is beginning early, she said, as if thinking aloud;
gpt
Thank you, reverend mother.
human
Love is holy and blessed, my dear, when it comes in its due season-- when it enters into a mind disciplined for new duties, and a heart waiting for new affections. In one who has no mother to help and comfort--
gpt
No mother, it is true,
human
The mother is the parent naturally most missed, said the abbess, supposing she was reading her pupil's mind.
gpt
Where there is no mother by a young girl's side, and no brothers and sisters to serve, the fancy and the heart are apt to fix prematurely on some object--too likely, in that case, to be one which will deceive and fail. But, my dear, such a young girl owes duty to herself, if God has seen fit to make her solitary in the world.
human
One cannot say solitary, interposed Euphrosyne,
gpt
You are right, my love. No one is, indeed, solitary in life, (blessed be God!) nor without duties. As I was going to say, such a young girl's business is to apply herself diligently to her education, during the years usually devoted to instruction. This is the work appointed to her youth. If, while her mind is yet ignorant, her judgment inexperienced, and her tastes actually unformed, she indulges any affection or fancy which makes her studies tedious, her companions dull, and her mind and spirits listless, she has fallen into a fearful snare.
human
How long then would you have a girl's education go on? And if her lover be very particularly wise and learned, do not you think she may learn more from him than in any other way? And if she be not dull and listless, but very happy--
gpt
Every girl, interrupted the abbess, with a grave smile,
human
Well, but, as to the age, persisted Euphrosyne;
gpt
That depends upon circumstances, my dear. But in all cases, I consider sixteen too early.
human
Sixteen! Yes. But nineteen--or, one may say, twenty. Twenty, next month but one.
gpt
My dear, said the abbess, stopping short,
human
Indeed, madam, said Euphrosyne, very earnestly,
gpt
Afra will be twenty in two months. I know her ago to a day, and--
human
And you have been speaking of Mademoiselle Raymond all this time! Well, well--
gpt
And you were thinking of me, I do believe. Oh, madam, how could you! Why, I never saw anybody.
human
I was wondering how it could be, said the abbess, striving to conceal her amusement and satisfaction.
gpt
I was surprised that you should have seen any one yet; and I was going to give you a lecture about half-confidences with Father Gabriel.
human
And I could not conceive what Father Gabriel had to do with Afra's affairs, or how you came to know anything about it. I have let it out now, however; and I do not know what Afra will say.
gpt
You have not told me who the gentleman is, you know; so there is not much harm done. No, do not tell me, my dear, till Mademoiselle Raymond desires it.
human
Oh, I may as well, now you know so much. I dare say Afra would have no objection; particularly as you will then understand what I meant about living somewhere else. When you talked of a fine library, she continued, laughing,
gpt
So he is the gentleman, said the abbess.
human
How times are changed! A lady of colour may be Madame Pascal now, without reproach.
gpt
I am glad it is out, said Euphrosyne, gaily.
human
I can speak now to somebody about Afra. Oh, madam, you do not know, you cannot imagine, how they love one another.
gpt
Cannot I?
human
And I may look forward to living with them. They say I may, madam. They say I must. And surely my guardian will have no objection. Do you think he can, madam?
gpt
Indeed I do not know. I am acquainted with the parties only by hearsay. Report speaks highly of Monsieur Pascal. Some persons at Paris, and some formerly in office here, are surprised at his unqualified adherence to the Ouverture system; but I never heard anything worse of him than that.
human
And that is nothing but good, as any one would say who really knew all those dear people. L'Ouverture and Monsieur Pascal are almost like father and son. Afra says--
gpt
My dear, interposed the abbess,