CHAPTER XI. THE PORTRESS’S CABINET.

Itwassummerandveryhot.Georgette,theyoungestofMadameBeck’schildren,tookafever.Désirée,suddenlycuredofherailments,was,togetherwithFifine,packedofftoBonne-Maman,inthecountry,bywayofprecautionagainstinfection.Medicalaidwasnowreallyneeded,andMadame,choosingtoignorethereturnofDr.Pillule,whohadbeenathomeaweek,conjuredhisEnglishrivaltocontinuehisvisits.Oneortwoofthepensionnairescomplainedofheadache,andinotherrespectsseemedslightlytoparticipateinGeorgette’sailment.“Now,atlast,”Ithought,“Dr.Pillulemustberecalled:theprudentdirectresswillneverventuretopermittheattendanceofsoyoungamanonthepupils.” Thedirectresswasveryprudent,butshecouldalsobeintrepidlyventurous.SheactuallyintroducedDr.Johntotheschool-divisionofthepremises,andestablishedhiminattendanceontheproudandhandsomeBlanchedeMelcy,andthevain,flirtingAngélique,herfriend.Dr.John,Ithought,testifiedacertaingratificationatthismarkofconfidenceandifdiscretionofbearingcouldhavejustifiedthestep,itwouldbyhimhavebeenamplyjustified.Here,however,inthislandofconventsandconfessionals,suchapresenceashiswasnottobesufferedwithimpunityina“pensionnatdedemoiselles.”Theschoolgossiped,thekitchenwhispered,thetowncaughttherumour,parentswrotelettersandpaidvisitsofremonstrance.Madame,hadshebeenweak,wouldnowhavebeenlost:adozenrivaleducationalhouseswerereadytoimprovethisfalsestep—iffalsestepitwere—toherruinbutMadamewasnotweak,andlittleJesuitthoughshemightbe,yetIclappedthehandsofmyheart,andwithitsvoicecried“brava!”asIwatchedherablebearing,herskilledmanagement,hertemperandherfirmnessonthisoccasion. Shemetthealarmedparentswithagood-humoured,easygracefornobodymatchedherin,Iknownotwhethertosaythepossessionortheassumptionofacertain“rondeuretfranchisedebonnefemme”whichonvariousoccasionsgainedthepointaimedatwithinstantandcompletesuccess,whereseveregravityandseriousreasoningwouldprobablyhavefailed. “CepauvreDocteurJean!”shewouldsay,chucklingandrubbingjoyouslyherfatlittlewhitehands“cecherjeunehomme!lemeilleurcréaturedumonde!”andgoontoexplainhowshehappenedtobeemployinghimforherownchildren,whoweresofondofhimtheywouldscreamthemselvesintofitsatthethoughtofanotherdoctorhow,whereshehadconfidenceforherown,shethoughtitnaturaltoreposetrustforothers,andaureste,itwasonlythemosttemporaryexpedientintheworldBlancheandAngéliquehadthemigraineDr.Johnhadwrittenaprescriptionvoilàtout! Theparents’mouthswereclo