It was Dr. Norris who explained it all to her as gently and kindly as was
possible. She had always been fragile, and she had caught a severe cold
which caused her an illness of some weeks. It was Dr. Norris who took
care of her, and it was not long before her timidity was forgotten in her
tender and trusting affection for him. She learned to watch for his
coming, and to feel that she was no longer lonely. It was through him
that her uncle permitted her to send to the _curé_ a sum of money large
enough to do all that was necessary. It was through him that the poor
woman and her children were clothed and fed and protected. When she was
well enough, he had promised that she should help him among his own poor.
And through him--though she lost none of her sweet sympathy for those
who suffered--she learned to live a more natural and child-like life, and
to find that there were innocent, natural pleasures to be enjoyed in the
world. In time she even ceased to be afraid of her Uncle Bertrand, and to
be quite happy in the great beautiful house. And as for Uncle Bertrand
himself, he became very fond of her, and sometimes even helped her to
dispense her charities. He had a light, gay nature, but he was kind at
heart, and always disliked to see or think of suffering. Now and then he
would give more lavishly than wisely, and then he would say, with his
habitual graceful shrug of the shoulders--"Yes, it appears I am not
discreet. Finally, I think I must leave my charities to you, my good
Norris--to you and Little Saint Elizabeth."







THE STORY OF PRINCE FAIRYFOOT