按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
its simplest expression； if maternal sentiment makes the mother a
slave； the abandonment of self allows an old man to devote himself
utterly。 For these reasons it is not unusual to see children in close
intimacy with old persons。 The old soldier； the old abbe； the old
doctor； happy in the kisses and cajoleries of little Ursula； were
never weary of answering her talk and playing with her。 Far from
making them impatient her petulances charmed them； and they gratified
all her wishes； making each the ground of some little training。
The child grew up surrounded by old men； who smiled at her and made
themselves mothers for her sake； all three equally attentive and
provident。 Thanks to this wise education； Ursula's soul developed in a
sphere that suited it。 This rare plant found its special soil； it
breathed the elements of its true life and assimilated the sun rays
that belonged to it。
〃In what faith do you intend to bring up the little one？〃 asked the
abbe of the doctor； when Ursula was six years old。
〃In yours；〃 answered Minoret。
An atheist after the manner of Monsieur Wolmar in the 〃Nouvelle
Heloise〃 he did not claim the right to deprive Ursula of the benefits
offered by the Catholic religion。 The doctor； sitting at the moment on
a bench outside the Chinese pagoda； felt the pressure of the abbe's
hand on his。
〃Yes； abbe； every time she talks to me of God I shall send her to her
friend 'Shapron；'〃 he said； imitating Ursula's infant speech； 〃I wish
to see whether religious sentiment is inborn or not。 Therefore I shall
do nothing either for or against the tendencies of that young soul；
but in my heart I have appointed you her spiritual guardian。〃
〃God will reward you； I hope；〃 replied the abbe； gently joining his
hands and raising them towards heaven as if he were making a brief
mental prayer。
So； from the time she was six years old the little orphan lived under
the religious influence of the abbe； just as she had already come
under the educational training of her friend Jordy。
The captain； formerly a professor in a military academy； having a
taste for grammar and for the differences among European languages；
had studied the problem of a universal tongue。 This learned man；
patient as most old scholars are； delighted in teaching Ursula to read
and write。 He taught her also the French language and all she needed
to know of arithmetic。 The doctor's library afforded a choice of books
which could be read by a child for amusement as well as instruction。
The abbe and the soldier allowed the young mind to enrich itself with
the freedom and comfort which the doctor gave to the body。 Ursula
learned as she played。 Religion was given with due reflection。 Left to
follow the divine training of a nature that was led into regions of
purity by these judicious educators； Ursula inclined more to sentiment
than to duty； she took as her rule of conduct the voice of her own
conscience rather than the demands of social law。 In her； nobility of
feeling and action would ever be spontaneous； her judgment would
confirm the impulse of her heart。 She was destined to do right as a
pleasure before doing it as an obligation。 This distinction is the
peculiar sign of Christian education。 These principles； altogether
different from those that are taught to men； were suitable for a
woman；the spirit and the conscience of the home； the beautifier of
domestic life； the queen of her household。 All three of these old
preceptors followed the same method with Ursula。 Instead of recoiling
before the bold questions of innocence； they explained to her the
reasons of things and the best means of action； taking care to give
her none but correct ideas。 When； apropos of a flower； a star； a blade
of grass； her thoughts went straight to God； the doctor and the
professor told her that the priest alone could answer her。 None of
them intruded on the territory of the others； the doctor took charge
of her material well…being and the things of life； Jordy's department
was instruction； moral and spiritual questions and the ideas
appertaining to the higher life belonged to the abbe。 This noble
education was not； as it often is； counteracted by injudicious
servants。 La Bougival； having been lectured on the subject； and being；
moreover； too simple in mind and character to interfere； did nothing
to injure the work of these great minds。 Ursula； a privileged being；
grew up with good geniuses round her； and her naturally fine
disposition made the task of each a sweet and easy one。 Such manly
tenderness； such gravity lighted by smiles； such liberty without
danger； such perpetual care of soul and body made little Ursula； when
nine years of age； a well…trained child and delightful to behold。
Unhappily； this paternal trinity was broken up。 The old captain died
the following year； leaving the abbe and the doctor to finish his
work； of which； however； he had accomplished the most difficult part。
Flowers will bloom of themselves if grown in a soil thus prepared。 The
old gentleman had laid by for ten years past one thousand francs a
year； that he might leave ten thousand to his little Ursula； and keep
a place in her memory during her whole life。 In his will； the wording
of which was very touching； he begged his legatee to spend the four or
five hundred francs that came of her little capital exclusively on her
dress。 When the justice of the peace applied the seals to the effects
of his old friend； they found in a small room； which the captain had
allowed no one to enter； a quantity of toys； many of them broken；
while all had been used；toys of a past generation； reverently
preserved； which Monsieur Bongrand was； according to the captain's
last wishes； to burn with his own hands。
About this time it was that Ursula made her first communion。 The abbe
employed one whole year in duly instructing the young girl； whose mind
and heart； each well developed； yet judiciously balancing one another；
needed a special spiritual nourishment。 The initiation into a
knowledge of divine things which he gave her was such that Ursula grew
into the pious and mystical young girl whose character rose above all
vicissitudes； and whose heart was enabled to conquer adversity。 Then
began a secret struggle between the old man wedded to unbelief and the
young girl full of faith；long unsuspected by her who incited it；
the result of which had now stirred the whole town； and was destined
to have great influence on Ursula's future by rousing against her the
antagonism of the doctor's heirs。
During the first six months of the year 1824 Ursula spent all her
mornings at the parsonage。 The old doctor guessed the abbe's secret
hope。 He meant to make Ursula an unanswerable argument against him。
The old unbeliever； loved by his godchild as though she were his own
daughter； would surely believe in such artless candor； he could not
fail to be persuaded by the beautiful effects of religion on the