Page:Live and Let Live.djvu/157

 not penitent. She was hardened by the long and unexposed practice of evil and imboldened by Mrs. Hartell's silly confidence and partiality. Perhaps Adéle had been singularly unfortunate; we leave to others to decide whether her case was a rare one; but in many years' service in her own country—and with sorrow we add in ours—she had never had one employer who had regarded it as a duty to attempt to reform the faults, and enlighten the moral sense, and strengthen the feeble virtue of her inferior and dependent. She had never had one who considered her a member of the same great family with herself, a creature of the same passions and affections, who, after a few flying years, when the relations instituted as a trial to the virtue of employers and employed are past, must appear with her at the same tribunal. Mrs. Hartell winked at her faults to profit by her faculties; and, instead of leading her back to truth and duty, urged her forward in her devious course by the example of her own vanities and self-indulgence.

Lucy knew she had provoked a powerful adversary who would do battle with the "sword and the shield," but she was strong and tranquil in the consciousness of having done right. Before going to bed she offered Adéle her hand, saying, "Be sure, Adéle, I wish to be your friend; and it shall not be my fault if we are not the better and happier for living together."

"Mais—c'est un bon enfant! She is a good creature!" exclaimed Adéle, yielding to a good impulse and returning the pressure of Lucy's hand.

"He's human, and some pulse of good must live within his nature." O