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"
"Your life!" said the baroness, looking at her son, with startled
eyes. "Your life is our life, the life of all of us."
"My nephew has just said many things I do not understand," said the
old woman, turning toward him.
"Where did he learn them?" said the mother; "at Les Touches."
"Yes, my darling mother; she found me ignorant as a carp, and she has
taught me."
"You knew the essential things when you learned the duties taught us
by religion," replied the baroness. "Ah! this woman is fated to
destroy your noble and sacred beliefs."
The old maid rose, and solemnly stretched forth her hands toward her
brother, who was dozing in his chair.
"Calyste," she said, in a voice that came from her heart, "your father
has never opened books, he speaks Breton, he fought for God and for
the king. Educated people did the evil, educated noblemen deserted
their land,--be educated if you choose!"
So saying, she sat down and began to knit with a rapidity which
betrayed her inward emotion.
"My angel," said the mother, weeping, "I foresee some evil coming down
upon you in that house.


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