But if that pride it be, which thus inspires,
Beware, ye dames1! with nice discernment see
Ye quench2 not too the sparks of nobler fires.”
SHENSTONE.
By repeated observation, and by attending to the minute reports of Sister Frances, Mad. de Fleury soon became acquainted with the habits and temper of each individual in this little society. The most intelligent and the most amiable3 of these children was Victoire. Whence her superiority arose, whether her abilities were naturally more vivacious4 than those of her companions, or whether they had been more early developed by accidental excitation, we cannot pretend to determine, lest we should involve ourselves in the intricate question respecting natural genius — a metaphysical point, which we shall not in this place stop to discuss. Till the world has an accurate philosophical5 dictionary (a work not to be expected in less than half a dozen centuries), this question will never be decided6 to general satisfaction. In the mean time, we may proceed with our story.
Deep was the impression made on Victoire’s heart by the kindness that Mad. de Fleury showed her at the time her arm was broken; and her gratitude7 was expressed with all the enthusiastic fondness of childhood. Whenever she spoke8 or heard of Mad. de Fleury, her countenance9 became interested, and animated10, in a degree that would have astonished a cool English spectator. Every morning her first question to Sister Frances was —“Will she come to-day?”— If Mad. de Fleury was expected, the hours and the minutes were counted, and the sand in the hourglass that stood on the school-room table was frequently shaken. The moment she appeared, Victoire ran to her, and was silent; satisfied with standing11 close beside her, holding her gown when unperceived, and watching, as she spoke and moved, every turn of her countenance. Delighted by these marks of sensibility, Sister Frances would have praised the child, but was warned by Mad. de Fleury to refrain from injudicious eulogiums, lest she should teach her affectation.
“If I must not praise, you will permit me at least to love her,” said Sister Frances.
Her affection for Victoire was increased by compassion12: during two months the poor child’s arm hung in a sling13, so that she could not venture to play with her companions. At their hours of recreation, she used to sit on the school-room steps, looking down into the garden at the scene of merriment, in which she could not partake.
For those who know how to find it, there is good in every thing. Sister Frances used to take her seat on the steps, sometimes with her work, and sometimes with a book; and Victoire, tired of being quite idle, listened with eagerness to the stories which Sister Frances read, or watched with interest the progress of her work: soon she longed to imitate what she saw done with so much pleasure, and begged to be taught to work and read. By degrees she learned her alphabet; and could soon, to the amazement14 of her schoolfellows, read the names of all the animals in Sister Frances’ picture-book. No matter how trifling15 the thing done, or the knowledge acquired, a great point is gained by giving the desire for employment. Children frequently become industrious16 from impatience17 of the pains and penalties of idleness. Count Rumford showed that he understood childish nature perfectly18 well, when, in his House of Industry at Munich, he compelled the young children to sit for some time idle in a gallery round the hall, where others a little older than themselves were busied at work. During Victoire’s state of idle convalescence19, she acquired the desire to be employed, and she consequently soon became more industrious than her neighbours. Succeeding in her first efforts, she was praised — was pleased, and persevered20 till she became an example of activity to her companions. But Victoire, though now nearly seven years old, was not quite perfect. Naturally, or accidentally, she was very passionate21, and not a little self-willed.
One day being mounted, horsemanlike, with whip in hand, upon the banister of the flight of stairs leading from the school-room to the garden, she called in a tone of triumph to her playfellows, desiring them to stand out of the way, and see her slide from top to bottom. At this moment Sister Frances came to the school-room door, and forbade the feat22: but Victoire, regardless of all prohibition23, slid down instantly, and moreover was going to repeat the glorious operation, when Sister Frances, catching24 hold of her arm, pointed25 to a heap of sharp stones that lay on the ground upon the other side of the banisters.
“I am not afraid,” said Victoire.
“But if you fall there, you may break your arm again.”
“And if I do I can bear it,” said Victoire. “Let me go, pray let me go: I must do it.”
“No; I forbid you, Victoire, to slide down again! — Babet, and all the little ones, would follow your example, and perhaps break their necks.”
The nun26, as she spoke, attempted to compel Victoire to dismount: but she was so much of a heroine, that she would do nothing upon compulsion. Clinging fast to the banisters, she resisted with all her might; she kicked and screamed, and screamed and kicked; but at last her feet were taken prisoners; then grasping the railway with one hand, with the other she brandished27 high the little whip.
“What!” said the mild nun, “would you strike me with that arm?”
The arm dropped instantly — Victoire recollected28 Mad. de Fleury’s kindness the day when the arm was broken: dismounting immediately, she threw herself upon her knees in the midst of the crowd of young spectators, and begged pardon of Sister Frances. For the rest of the day she was as gentle as a lamb; nay29, some assert that the effects of her contrition30 were visible during the remainder of the week.
Having thus found the secret of reducing the little rebel to obedience31 by touching32 her on the tender point of gratitude, the nun had recourse to this expedient33 in all perilous34 cases: but one day, when she was boasting of the infallible operation of her charm, Mad. de Fleury advised her to forbear recurring35 to it frequently, lest she should wear out the sensibility she so much loved. In consequence of this counsel, Victoire’s violence of temper was sometimes reduced by force, and sometimes corrected by reason; but the principle and the feeling of gratitude were not exhausted36 or weakened in the struggle. The hope of reward operated upon her generous mind more powerfully than the fear of punishment; and Mad. de Fleury devised rewards with as much ability as some legislators invent punishments.
Victoire’s brother Maurice, who was now of an age to earn his own bread, had a strong desire to be bound apprentice37 to the smith who worked in the house where his mother lodged38. This most ardent39 wish of his soul he had imparted to his sister: and she consulted her benefactress, whom she considered as all-powerful in this, as in every other affair.
“Your brother’s wish shall be gratified,” replied Mad. de Fleury, “if you can keep your temper one month. If you are never in a passion for a whole month, I will undertake that your brother shall be bound apprentice to his friend the smith. To your companions, to Sister Frances, and above all to yourself, I trust, to make me a just report this day month.”
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1
dames
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| n.（在英国）夫人（一种封号），夫人（爵士妻子的称号）( dame的名词复数 )；女人 | |
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2
quench
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| vt.熄灭，扑灭；压制 | |
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3
amiable
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| adj.和蔼可亲的，友善的，亲切的 | |
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4
vivacious
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| adj.活泼的，快活的 | |
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5
philosophical
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| adj.哲学家的，哲学上的，达观的 | |
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6
decided
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| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
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7
gratitude
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| adj.感激，感谢 | |
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8
spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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9
countenance
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| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
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10
animated
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| adj.生气勃勃的，活跃的，愉快的 | |
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standing
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| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
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12
compassion
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| n.同情，怜悯 | |
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13
sling
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| vt.扔；悬挂；n.挂带；吊索，吊兜；弹弓 | |
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14
amazement
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| n.惊奇，惊讶 | |
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15
trifling
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| adj.微不足道的；没什么价值的 | |
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16
industrious
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| adj.勤劳的，刻苦的，奋发的 | |
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impatience
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| n.不耐烦，急躁 | |
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18
perfectly
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| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
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19
convalescence
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| n.病后康复期 | |
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20
persevered
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| v.坚忍，坚持( persevere的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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21
passionate
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| adj.热情的，热烈的，激昂的，易动情的，易怒的，性情暴躁的 | |
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22
feat
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| n.功绩；武艺，技艺；adj.灵巧的，漂亮的，合适的 | |
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23
prohibition
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| n.禁止；禁令，禁律 | |
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24
catching
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| adj.易传染的，有魅力的，迷人的，接住 | |
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pointed
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| adj.尖的，直截了当的 | |
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nun
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| n.修女，尼姑 | |
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brandished
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| v.挥舞( brandish的过去式和过去分词 )；炫耀 | |
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recollected
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| adj.冷静的；镇定的；被回忆起的；沉思默想的v.记起，想起( recollect的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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29
nay
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| adv.不；n.反对票，投反对票者 | |
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contrition
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| n.悔罪，痛悔 | |
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31
obedience
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| n.服从，顺从 | |
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32
touching
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| adj.动人的，使人感伤的 | |
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expedient
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| adj.有用的，有利的；n.紧急的办法，权宜之计 | |
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34
perilous
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| adj.危险的，冒险的 | |
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35
recurring
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| adj.往复的，再次发生的 | |
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36
exhausted
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| adj.极其疲惫的，精疲力尽的 | |
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37
apprentice
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| n.学徒，徒弟 | |
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38
lodged
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| v.存放( lodge的过去式和过去分词 )；暂住；埋入；（权利、权威等）归属 | |
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39
ardent
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| adj.热情的，热烈的，强烈的，烈性的 | |
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