It was well
for the peace of the young mother that she knew so little what a
child ought to be like, and that her worst grief was that the little
Armantine would not go to her.
'And oh! they will send her straight into a convent as soon as she is
weaned, and I shall never have her with me!' sighed Cecile.
'ON' ON had done many harsh things towards my poor little sister-in-
law, and I began now to consider of whom ON now consisted. It seemed
to me to be only Mademoiselle de Gringrimeau acting in the name of
the doting Countess and the absent husband, and that one resolute
effort might emancipate the poor young thing.
I was still considering the matter, and rallying my forces, when a
message came from the Chateau l'Aube that Madame la Douariere was
dying, and Madame la Comtesse must return instantly. I went with
her; I could not let her return alone to Mademoiselle's tender
mercies, and the Marquis approved and went with us. In fact, the two
chateaux were not two miles apart, through the lanes and woods,
though the way by the road was much longer.
The old Countess lingered another day and then expired. Before the
funeral ceremonies were over, I had seen how Mademoiselle de
Gringrimeau tyrannise over this young sister-in-law, who was still a
mere gentle child, and was absolutely cowed by the woman. When I
tried to take her home with me, Mademoiselle had the effrontery to
say that the Count himself, as well as the late dowager, had given
her authority over Madame as dame de compagnie, and that she did not
consider it etiquette to visit after so recent a bereavement, thus
decidedly hitting at me.
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