The Wandering Jew, Book IV.

e most retired places in Paris, particularly at this period. The following scenes took place on the 12th February, the eve of the fatal day, on which the members of the fami

piety, at the head of whom was the Princess de Saint Dizier, frequently assembled in deliberation, to consult on the means of e

men who happened moreover to be rich, the convent offered a sure asylum from the dangers and temptations of the world; in this peaceful retreat, they enjoyed a delightful calm, and secured their salvation, whilst surrounded by the most tender and affectionate attentions. Nor was this all. Mother Sainte-Perpetue, the superior of the convent, undertook in the name of the institution to procure for the faithful, who wished to preserve the interior of their houses from the depravity of the age, companions for aged ladies, domestic servants, or needlewomen working by the day, all selected persons whose morality could be warranted. Nothing would seem more worthy of sympathy and encouragement than such

ty was mere child's play. No one knew better how to purchase a depreciated property, to restore it to its former value, and then sell it with advantage; the price of stock, the rate of exchange, the current value of the shares in the different companies, were all familiar to her; she had yet never been known to make bad speculation, when the question was to invest any of the funds which were given by pious souls for the purposes of the convent. She had established in the house the utmost order and discipline, and, above all, an extreme economy.

rty as social stock-in-trade, and charity towards their neighbors as security reserve fund. We may therefore imagine what bitter and ardent rivalry must exist between the different congregations with regard to the various estates that each can lay claim to; with what ineffable satisfaction the richer society crushes the poorer beneath its inventory of houses, and farms and paper securities! Envy and hateful jealousy, rendered still more irritable by the leisure of a cloistered

e sent from the convent, before they were put into the post. The traces of this pious and innocent inquisition were easily effaced, for the good mother possessed a whole arsenal of steel tools, some very sharp, to cut the pager imperceptibly round the seal-others, pretty little rods, to be slightly heated and rolled round the edge of the seal, when the letter had been read and replaced in its envelope, so that the wax, spreading as it melted, might cover the first incision. Moreover, from a praiseworthy feeling of justice and equality, there was in the arsenal of the good mother a little fumigator of the most ingenious construction, the damp and dissolving vapor of which was reserved for the letters humbly and modestly secured

erpetue. And, with charming forethought, she drew an

ly dressed. She wore a black velvet bonnet of the most fashionable make, a large blue c

debted for the honor of your visit, my dea

ected at the house of his Eminence, and have, unfortunately, only a few minutes to spare

this morning for Dr. Baleinier, from his asylum. He found much fever joined to great depression, and, singular enough, absolutely the same symptom

me days; but he is in Paris, and, notwithstanding his age, a man of extraordinary boldness, enterprise and energy. Should he discover that the girls are here (which, however, is fortunately almost impossible), in his rage at seeing th

und every night on the side of the Boulevard de l'Hopital. The walls are high, and furnished with spikes at the m

this night, my

y s

has the audacity to attempt such a

know, my dea

barrassment, which did not escape the notice of the Superior, though she was too crafty an

our guard. But as I have the pleasure of seeing you, my dear daughter, I will take

nce; I know not any one whose tone is more insolent with regard to his faith, and the plan is a good one, for this cavalier and open manner of speaking of sacred things raises and excites the curiosity of the indifferent. Circumstances are happily such that he may show the most audacious violence towards our enemies, without the least dan

itution which merits the sympathy of all pious persons," answered the superior, discreet

is

ive, timid, almost idiotic person-instead of being deligh

eally pi

ents or friends, and being absolutely confided to my care, she ought to see with my eyes, hear with my ears, and

be impossible to s

see M. de Brisville, and know hi

e to answer for his morality, an

it, I should be obliged, in her own interest, to act with rigor, to conquer so much obstinacy that I should have to separate her from her com

enaces, my d

t a stop to this, for it appeared to me dangerous. She is now under my sole influence, and I hope we shall attain o

o beyond his first promise, and I will pledge myself

I would refuse everything; but to give to this institution is to give to Heaven, and I cannot prevent M. de

hat, my de

have suited us exactly. Really, some people are quite insatiab

d Madame de Saint-Dizier, "and

ughter?" exclaimed the superior

int-Dizier, with a slight degree of hesitation, th

e jealousy of the Sacred Heart. There is not an evil report that they have not spread with regar

u see, my dear mother; it will place a large fortune at the disposal of a man who is devoted to us, and who will employ it as we wish; and it will also greatly increase the importance of his position as our d

itings of the man you name. It is the style of a

offend your ears; all I can tell you is, that such defenders would compromise the most sacred cause. A

her enter your service. You know the fidelity she displayed in watching your unfortunate niece; I think that,

ear mother, the thing is done. I will take her into my service. A

est. I hope we shall soon meet again. The day after to-morrow, at two o'cloc

be exact. Only, pray, redouble your precau

ich led to an apartment opening on the principal staircase. Some minutes after, Florine entered

ncess de Saint-Dizier

pet

n the passage, where the win

into her service from to

sorrowful surprise, and e

d you have only to accept," a

r, I had en

rior, in so firm and positive a tone that Florine cast

's name that I giv

Florine, sadly; "on what conditi

ns as those on which

then, to make frequent secret rep

will remember, and yo

my m

ss may receive from the lady superior of the Sacred Heart. You must try

obey, my

n brought hither, and recommended to be severely treated, by M

, mo

else that may be worthy of remark. To-morrow I will

well, m

n leave the princess to enter the service of a young bride; it will be an excellent and lasting situation always on the s

er; I shal

med young girl tha

lass; she works at her needle, but is at present without employment, and reduced to the las

and deforme

ting countenance, b

nformation, and added, after a moment's

intell

lutely witho

withou

he pi

s not pr

be intelligent, that will suffice." Then she resu

eve so,

g into it attentively for some time, and then said, as she replaced it

le," said the superior, reflecting; "she

sempstress was agitated, trembling, and much troubled, for she could, as it were, hardly believe a discovery which she had chanced t