The Silent Prince/Chapter 11
CHAPTER XI.
AN UNEXPECTED VISITOR.
In a quiet, unpretentious street in the poorer part of Brussels there was a cheap boarding-house, in which Madame La Tour and her daughter had taken rooms while their suit was pending. That these ladies were in strained circumstances was evidenced by their humble surroundings.
They were seated late one morning at the breakfast table, which was scantily furnished with the cheapest viands.
Madame La Tour turned from her cup of weak chocolate with a look of ill-concealed disgust. “Katharine, I cannot endure this suspense much longer. Do you not suppose our case will be decided upon before long?”
“I expect we shall have to wait patiently as best we can, mother. You know Heer Chenoweth said that investigations were being made which would occupy some time.”
“I think we had better employ another advocate,” said Madame fretfully. “Heer Chenoweth recommended our doing so on account of his having incurred the Chancellor's displeasure. If we do not hear anything definite to-day, I shall be in favor of trying other means.”
“Do nothing rash, I entreat you,” replied the daughter. “Heer Chenoweth will leave no stone unturned to secure for us our just tights. I have full confidence in his ability.”
“Why so?” demanded Madame. “The advocate is an entire stranger to us. Why should he care whether two obscure women received justice?”
A flush mantled the girl's cheek, which the elder lady was not slow to observe. “Ah, I see. It is because Heer Chenoweth is Colonel Van Straalen's friend that you regard him with such favor. Have you not forgotten that childish attachment?”
“I shall never forget what a kind, noble friend Colonel Van Straalen was to us,” said Katharine.
“It is more than likely that he has forgotten you by this time. At least I hope he has. How long is it since you heard from him?”
“More than a year. But it is possible that his letters miscarried.”
“I do not believe it. For my sake, Katharine, do not let this unfortunate attachment of yours be known. If it were even suspected we should lose all hope of gaining that fortune. Colonel Van Straalen is a Protestant. The mere fact that you were interested in an enemy of the Church would ruin our case. I beg you to be prudent.”
Katharine La Tour looked at the wan, distressed face of her mother with pitying eyes.
“Of course I shall be discreet, mother. I am a nominal Catholic, and I have seen too much misery arising from marriages where the contracting parties were of different faiths to care to add to the number.”
“The law forbidding marriage between Catholics and Protestants is more rigorously enforced than it was when I married your father,” said Madame. “What troublous times I have lived through! And yet, although I had a Huguenot husband, and loved him devotedly, I remained true to the Church. I might just as well have turned Protestant for all the good it has done me. The Catholics have turned the cold shoulder to me, and I have spent the few hundred frances which were all that were saved from your father's estate in prosecuting a claim which is more than likely to be denied.”
“Be careful, mother. I fear your words may be overheard. For all that we know, we may be surrounded by spies.”
“But what will become of us, Katharine, if the law refuses to legitimate you? We have no home and no resources.”
These words were evidently a revelation to the girl, She flushed painfully. “Legitimate me, did you say, the child of Christian parents? Why, the marriage ceremony was performed by a noble Protestant pastor, who was good enough, you have said, to be the successor of St. Peter. Then the rite was sanctioned by a priest of our own faith. It seems wicked that such a stain should be thrown upon our honored name.”
“If there was the semblance of justice in this country, such indignities would not be permitted,” said Madame; “but might makes right in these days, and we have no influence with those in power. I tell you, daughter, what we will do if we are so fortunate as to secure this property. We will emigrate to England, where our rights will be respected and where we shall have the privilege of worshipping God without remonstrance. How does this plan impress you?”
“I should much rather cross the ocean, and in a new country help to found a colony where religious controversy and persecution would be unknown.”
“And live among Indians and negroes?” cried Madame La Tour. “You caught that insane idea from Colonel Van Straalen, I suspect. You seem to regard all his sayings as law and gospel. I am very glad he left you when he did, else I am afraid he might have converted you to the Protestant faith.”
“Possibly he would, mother. The trouble with me is that I have no settled belief. My father's example and his precepts ring in my ears, while outwardly I have been taught to conform to the Catholic faith. The time is coming when I shall claim the privilege of studying the doctrines held by both Protestants and Catholics, and of making an unbiased choice.”
“At least I hope you will postpone your investigations until after we secure our inheritance,” said Madame.
“Do not be alarmed, mother. Worldly interest, as well as filial affection, are both arrayed on the side of the Catholic faith. My inclinations are toward that faith also. I enjoy the ritualistic service and the music which are heard in her cathedrals. On the other hand, I truly long to know the truth, and I shall seek it prayerfully.”
The two ladies were so engrossed in their conversation that they did not hear a light tap on the door. They were made aware of the presence of a third person by the words, “Benedicite, my daughters!” The startled ladies looked toward the door, where the imposing figure of Monseigneur Ryder greeted their eyes.