MADEMOISELLE Gabert, Fraulein Friedel and my dear young mistress were now the sole occupants of the rather quaintly-furnished dining-room.
Examinations were over; and now the vacant spaces, and generally empty appearance of the old lumber-room, proved that for the present, at least, the merry little folks were luxuriating in other quarters. Already Mr. and Mrs. Ashworth were on their way to Venice.
Very busy had Kate been during the latter part of the day. Books, music and boxes had been carefully collected from their usual receptacles and placed in her own room, preparatory to the operation of packing; for this would be Kate's last night under the roof that had sheltered her for the past eight years. A long, parting look had been given to the old familiar benches in the class-rooms, and the seat from which so many of her own lessons had been given. Each object in the well-known room was invested with a history all its own, reminding her of the wonderful way in which she had been shielded and sheltered since her first entrance to the school dwelling. Madame's unexpected kindness and the interest she had taken in all connected with her came distinctly again to Kate's memory.
Then the kind offer of a quiet home with her as her adopted child came afresh to her thoughts; and with all this, that happy, peaceful, calm sense in her soul of who had been the author and giver of all this love and care for His clinging child. While the loud ringing of the supper bell put an end to Kate's meditations, yet nothing could disturb the sweet peace then reigning in her heart. Ah! “there is a joy that a stranger intermeddleth not with." And Kate experienced what that joy was.
“You look pale, Miss Grahame," said Mademoiselle Gabert to her, as the three ladies gathered for the last time round the well-supplied supper table.
“It is because she has lost her Madame," remarked Fraulein Friedel in a sympathizing tone. “Is it not, Mademoiselle?"
“Not exactly," replied Kate with a smile. “I have only been down in the schoolroom saying ‘good-bye' to things in general."
“Ah! that is not always pleasant," said Mademoiselle Gabert with a sigh.
“I am very sorry you are going away from us, Miss Grahame," remarked Fraulein, after a pause.
“Not as sorry as I am, Fraulein," replied Kate. “But when the Lord marks out a path for us, He wants us to walk in it without murmuring."
“I do not understand you English Christians here," said Fraulein, as she saw that Kate's eyes were fixed upon her, evidently awaiting a reply.
“I am not sure that we fully understand ourselves," said Kate, as she noticed the inquiring look which had accompanied the words. "But we ‘English Christians' as you are pleased to call us, know, believe and rest upon the word of God Himself; then follows the 'peace which passeth understanding,' Fraulein."
“But, Miss Grahame," inquired Mademoiselle Gabert, who was a little given to argument, "can you tell me any verse in your book for what you have said that we should not regret the past?"
“I think of only one, just now," replied Kate in a slow, distinct tone. “But it is a very forcible one to my mind. It is this: ‘Forgetting those things which are behind.' "
“Is that the end of it?" inquired Fraulein.
“No. I was thinking of the other part of the verse," answered Kate, quickly recollecting herself. “Pressing forward to those things that are before."
“Do you ever feel satisfied," inquired Mademoiselle Gabert, with a searching glance at Kate's expressive countenance, "with such a hope as that?"
“Oh yes, dear Mademoiselle," was the ready answer. “Satisfied with the Lord Jesus, satisfied with His love; but satisfied with myself, my attainments, never."
“It is a beautiful ideal you have, Mademoiselle!" remarked Fraulein quietly.
“Not an ideal, Fraulein," replied Kate firmly; "but a real, living faith that has the capacity to enjoy God who gave it. I wish you both knew it for your own joy and comfort." And Kate, encouraged by the evident interest and attention displayed by both her hearers, spoke to them, for some time of the blessed Gospel of Peace, and the great work of the Savior's atonement. Those earnest words of Kate Grahame's were not soon forgotten by her two interesting hearers.
“I wanted to ask a little favor of you both," said Kate to Fraulein and Mademoiselle next morning, as they assisted her in putting on her traveling cloak, and aided her in sundry little items upon which the comfort of a traveler so much depends.
“Anything, dear Mademoiselle," said both the ladies in the same breath.
“I wanted to ask you not to hinder Adeline. You know she is to remain here with Miss Williams. As long as you live with her in this house, you can do much either to help or hinder her. You know what I mean, I am sure."
“We promise it, for your sake, Miss Grahame," replied Mademoiselle. And Fraulein acquiesced.
“You must make yourselves as comfortable as possible during this short recess," said Kate to them a few minutes later, as she stepped into the cab that was to bear her to the railway station. “There are some nice new volumes in the library to pass away the long evenings for you; and don't forget last night! and Addie! "
The Markton establishment was now left behind forever. Five miles lay between the country town of Markton and the nearest railway station; and very thankful did Kate Grahame feel for that quiet drive in the early morning. The delicate tints on hedges and trees whispered their own message of comfort to her heart: "If God so clothe the grass of the field, how much more will he clothe you?" This thought helped to keep down many a fear which in the after part of that day might have arisen.