Page:Life and life-work of Mother Theodore Guerin Foundress.djvu/47

Rh her attention; the insecurity of position, the instability of wealth, the ephemeral life of honors had been a strong object-lesson to her, and she was determined to place herself beyond their powers of seduction. Little Étables was not much in the eyes of the outside world; yet it had arms to raise, spirits to dare, and lives to lay on the altar of sacrifice. Unostentatious piety had always nurtured Mademoiselle Thérèse's magnanimous soul, and she now said to herself, "If it be noble, if it be grand to perish on earth's battle-fields in our country's cause, can it be less noble, less grand to give the death-blow to nature on the battle-fields of the heart?"

It was not long before the above-mentioned report spread over the town, nor was it strange that Madame Guérin should hear of it. When she questioned her daughter as to the meaning of her words on that occasion, Mademoiselle Thérèse declared her resolution to retire from the world and to accept none other for her spouse than "the immortal King of ages."

Madame Guérin had long suspected her daughter's intentions; but it is one of those inscrutable ways of divine Providence for the purification of His chosen ones that they should often suffer most from those they love most. Madame Guerin combated her daughter's resolve with incredible severity, to the great surprise of many who knew her; besides her opposition had no reasonable grounds, for she was no longer an invalid, and her younger daughter, Marie, was of an age to render whatever assistance she might need. Mademoiselle Thérèse experienced a bitter trial in her mother's harshness and want of sympathy; but this