Another such piece of furniture was not to be
found in the Territory. It and her ebony chairs, her claw-footed tables,
her harp and dower chest, had come with her from France. The harp alone
she had already given to Angelique, who was to inherit all she owned.
From childhood the girl had been this aged woman's constant attendant.
Some days the black servants took their orders at the door, and nobody
but Angelique was allowed to enter that room. Then the tyrant would
unbend, and receive family and neighborhood visits. Though she had lived
a spinster's life, she herself taught Angelique to call her
"tante-gra'mere," and this absurd mixture of names had been taken up by
the entire family. So tight a grip did she hold on the growing child
that Angelique was educated by half-days at the convent; she never had
an entire day free from tante-gra'mere. Madame Saucier often rose
against such absorption, and craved the privilege of taking the girl's
place.
"There is a fete of the children on the bluffs to-day," madame would
plead; or, "There is a religious procession, and the mother superior has
particularly sent for Angelique.
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