Page:Villette.djvu/134

Rh suspected a subscription was annually levied on the whole school for the purchase of a handsome present. The polite tact of the reader will please to leave out of the account a brief, secret consultation on this point in madame’s own chamber.

“What will you have this year?” was asked by her Parisian lieutenant.

“Oh, no matter! Let it alone. Let the poor children keep their francs”. And madame looked benign and modest.

The St. Pierre would here protrude her chin; she knew madame by heart; she always called her airs of “bontégoodness [sic]”—“des grimacesthe faces [sic]”. She never even professed to respect them one instant.

“Vite!Quick! [sic]” she would say coldly. “Name the article. Shall it be jewelery or porcelain, haberdashery or silver?”

“Eh bien! Deux ou trois cuillers et autant de fourchettes en argentWell! Two or three spoons and forks as much money [sic]”.

And the result was a handsome case, containing 300 francs worth of plate.

The programme of the fête-day's proceedings comprised: Presentation of plate, collation in the garden, dramatic performance (with pupils and teachers for actors), a dance and supper. Very gorgeous seemed the effect of the whole to me, as I well remember. Zélie St. Pierre understood these things and managed them ably.

The Play was the main point; a month’s previous drilling being there required. The choice too of the actors required knowledge and care; then came lessons in elocution, in attitude, and then the fatigue of countless rehearsals. For all this, as may well be supposed, St. Pierre did not suffice: other management, other accomplishments than hers were requisite here. They were supplied in the person a master—M. Paul Emmanuel, professor of literature. It was never my lot to be present at the histrionic lessons of M. Paul, but I often saw him as he crossed the carré (a square hall between the dwelling-house and the school-house). I heard him too in the warm evenings, lecturing with open doors, and his name, with anecdotes of him, resounded in one’s ears from all sides. Especially our former acquaintance, Miss Ginerva Fanshawe, who had been selected to take a prominent part in the play—used, by bestowing on me a large portion of