102 THE FLOWERS

Lord. As I advanced, I perceived that all the
houses in the street were deserted, and the
deep silence which reigned amid these dwell-
ings enabled me to hear the requiem more
clearly and more distinctly. At length, as I
passed under the doorway of the church, I
found myself in a crowd, not only of my own
parishioners, but of persons from the neigh-
bouring villages, who had assembled on this
solemn occasion: way was, however, imme-
diately made for me, and I advanced towards
the high altar, before which was the coffin of
my beloved Aimée, covered with a white pall;
and beyond it, in a semicircle, stood all her
former companions. But there, in that sad
hour—sad for us who remained, yet most
blessed for her who was gone—were no garlands
of roses, no flaunting ribands, no gaudy attire ;
each fair young creature wore a long white
veil; and even the once blooming cheeks of
Susette were pale with grief and moist with
tears ; nay, the very levity of Mademoiselle
Victoire had given way on this affecting
occasion, and she stood a monument of silent
woe! Ah! did she not remember then all her
cruel carriage towards the gentle child whose
cold remains were stretched before her ?