I will pass over my journey, and the lonely, miserable days which
succeeded my arrival in M. I made fruitless effort to obtain service,
and waited and watched for an application in my dreary lodgings until
my small hoard of wages was nigh exhausted.
I had been in the city a fortnight, broken in spirit and dejected
by want of success, when I happened to bethink me of the letter Mr.
Bristed had given me.
I took it from its undisturbed nook in my trunk, and having read the
superscription, set about to find the party to whom it was addressed.
The direction led me to a large manufacturing establishment.
The gentleman to whom it was written appeared to be a foreigner. Having
presented the epistle to him, he perused it hastily, then taking my
hand with great eagerness, he exclaimed:
“O Mees! I am greatly honored. Mons. Bristeed is my very good friend;
I well acquaint with him in Paris. I congratulate you on having one
so grand a gentleman for your acquaintance. He tell me you look for a
school.”
“Yes, sir,” said I, glad to find my tastes had been studied; “I do
desire a school.”
“I will assist with pleasure, Mees. Be seated; in a few moments I will
accompany you.”
I sat down, wondering whither the gay, loquacious gentleman would lead
me.
He soon rejoined me, hat in hand.
“Will you accept my escort, Mees; the place is near by,” said he,
reading the note. “No. 14 B----, street. Will you walk, or shall I call
a cab?”
“I will walk,” I answered, scarcely knowing what reply was expected. As
we turned the corner of the street I ventured to ask:
“Is it to some school you are guiding me?”
“Ah, Mees,” said he, rubbing his hands together and laughing, “it is
some great secret. Mons. Bristeed would surprise you. Have a leetle
patience, and all will be divulged.”
We walked rapidly for a space and then paused before a handsome
building.
Entering the courtyard, we rang the silver bell. A servant answered our
summons and invited us in. Seated in the drawing-room, I heard the buzz
of many voices.
“Is it an academy?” I whispered to Monsieur Pilot, my conductor. He
smiled encouragingly.
“This is a young ladies’ seminary, Mees.”
Before I could question further, the room door opened, and a lady of
tall, imposing figure entered.
Monsieur Pilot commenced a vehement conversation with her in French.
She responded in the same tongue. The dialogue ended, he turned to me
and said:
“Mees Reef, permit me to introduce you to Madame Fontenelle.”
Madame smiled very graciously upon me, and then recommenced the
gesticulation and babble of the two. At length she appeared satisfied
with the understanding at which they arrived. I was growing uneasy at
their prolonged volubility, when Monsieur Pilot pirouetted up to me,
and said:
“Mees Reef, I beg to congratulate you. Madame consents to transfer
this mansion into your hands, She accepts our recommendation and that
of your own intelligent countenance. Mons. Bristeed was not mistaken
in the impression you would make. I wish you joy in having become the
proprietress of this splendid institution.”
“How,” I cried in astonishment; “I proprietor? I do not understand.
Please explain.”
Madame looked blandly on; my remarks were evidently unintelligible to
her.
“It is a very onerous and responsible position,
Mademoiselle”--shrugging her shoulders--“I should not like to advise
you. Do you comprehend the extent of the undertaking? I should not be
willing to trust my pupils in timid hands.”
Her remarks stung me, and gave, I presume, the favorable turn to my
destiny, for I felt the power to undertake a task which I would before
have shrunk from.
“I will do my duty in all cases to the best of my ability, madame!” was
my brief reply.
“Ah, you do not comprehend, Madame,” said Monsieur Pilot, coming
briskly to the rescue. “This is a surprise to Mees Reef. My very good
friend Monsieur Bristeed has not apprised the young lady of his bounty.
I have his commission to purchase for her this establishment, which he
is aware you desire to dispose of, Madame. His recommendation of the
young lady is surely sufficient.”
“The whole establishment?” I asked, with an effort at composure.
“Yes,” replied Madame. “I am obliged to start for the West Indies, and
must dispose of all. The present instructors are thoroughly competent
for their various positions; they merely need a supervisor. You appear
young, but I presume experience has fitted you for the office.”
“Eminently so, eminently,” answered Monsieur Pilot promptly, as if he
had been guardian of my reputation for years. “We will consider the
arrangements as complete, my clear Madame. I will call tomorrow and
close the transaction. _Bon jour_, Madame.”
And with rapid strides he hurried me away.