The Immortelles Read Online Free PDF Page A

back. You and me got a little business.” He was a strong man, and although Charissa struggled, she had no chance against him as he dragged her back and entered the darkness of the barn.
    The faculty of the Ursuline Convent had gathered on a small platform erected in the courtyard. The black robes of the priest and the nuns, highlighted by blinding white collars and hats, and the graduates in their white dresses made a startling contrast to the colorful and stylish dress of the family and friends.
    The date was May 15, 1831, and as Damita moved forward in the line, she felt a fierce sense of exultation. She heard Chantel’s name called out, followed by the words “ summa cum laude.” She felt no jealousy for the applause because Chantel was, by far, the best scholar in the class. She reached out and accepted her diploma from Sister Agnes, who did not smile. “You never thought I’d get it, did you, Sister?” Damita whispered. The nun gasped and Damita giggled, then turned and flashed a smile at her family.
    She strode back to her seat, thinking, This is the last day I’ll have to spend in this place. She watched as her classmates received their diplomas, and when the ceremonies came to an end, she stood to her feet with all the others while the bishop said a brief prayer. As soon as he spoke the amen, the graduates broke ranks and joined their families.
    Damita’s father was waiting for her, and when he put his arms out, she threw her arms around his neck and kissed him soundly on the cheek. He smiled at her and said, “I’m proud of you, daughter. There were times I thought you’d never make it.”
    Damita smiled and said, “I don’t think I could have, if it had gone
on another day. But now I feel as if I’ve been let out of prison.” She turned and embraced her mother and aunt, then walked over to Chantel. The two girls hugged, and Damita said, “You’re the best in the class!”
    Chantel smiled. “You could have been, if you had tried.”
    â€œI can’t waste my time learning useless things. Have you asked your parents if you could make the trip to Savannah with us in November?”
    â€œWe’re going to be out of the country. I can’t go.”
    â€œThat’s too bad. You’re going to miss seeing a lot of good-looking men, from what I hear.”
    They mingled for the last time with their other classmates, especially with Simone d’Or, with her long, blond hair and dark-blue eyes, and Leonie Dousett, who was smaller than the other girls and the poorest of them all. She was a charity student, and perhaps this was the reason she was the humblest of the four.
    â€œWe’re the Four Musketeers, and we’ve got to stay in touch,” Damita said. “I’ll tell you what. Let’s get together early this week and go to a party.”
    â€œWhat party?” Simone asked.
    â€œI don’t know, but there’s bound to be one somewhere.”
    Simone commented, “That’s not the dress you bought to graduate in.”
    â€œNo, that stupid maid of mine spilled wine all over it, but she won’t do it again. I had her punished.”
    â€œShe didn’t do it on purpose, did she?” Leonie asked quietly.
    â€œI have no doubt she did. She never did like me. I’ve been as nice as I can be, but she’s a stubborn, rebellious girl. We may have to sell her. It would do her good to go out in the cotton fields and put in some time there. Maybe she’d appreciate me then.”
    At that moment Juanita appeared and said, “Come along, dear, it’s time to go.”
    The girls embraced, and each felt the poignancy of the moment. They had spent many years together at the convent, and now each girl knew that a new life lay before her. They made their promises to stay together and to keep in touch, but knowing how things change, all four of them felt that this was the end of