The Trousseau Page 5

  At last, the day for the renaming celebration arrived. The entire settlement was filled with excitement. Boxes of flowers were planted along the two main streets. The paving had been swept clean and several of the shop fronts were repainted. The celebrations started with a solemn mass, celebrated by the Vicar Apostolic and Father Gilbert. It was here that the renaming of Noumea was formally announced to cheers and clapping. Afterward the official party enjoyed a morning tea in the Government Garden, looking its most beautiful for the occasion. Then the tour began and shortly before lunch the group of dignitaries entered the school. The children rose in unison and spoke as one.

  ‘Bon Jour, Good Day. We welcome you to our school.’ Then they sang a song of greeting and a French folk song. Clotilde was introduced together with Yvonne. Samples of their school work had been displayed throughout the room and this was examined by the Governor and Apostolic Vicar.

  ‘What fine, careful work we see here. Well done children and to your teachers, Mademoiselles Clotilde and Yvonne.’ Clotilde accepted their praise with her usual charm. Then as a special treat, the governor excused all the children from school immediately after their lunch. Amidst loud cheers they were set free to enjoy the remainder of the day as they wished.

  During the evening, Anne and Commandant Fleurier hosted their gala dinner party. Anne looked her most beautiful in a lavish ball gown, with diamonds at her throat and ears; the gems sparkling in the candlelight. The food had been specially prepared by their French chef and the best wine saved for the occasion. Afterward when all met in the drawing room for coffee, sherry and cognac, Satine approached the piano. She was dressed in a green silk ball gown offset by a double strand pearl necklace, her blonde hair elegantly coiffed. Her singing and playing thrilled the audience and at the conclusion of her performance, the governor stood to formally thank her for, ‘… the finest singing I have heard in this part of the world.’

  Afterward Satine appeared in the kitchen where a plate of the same food, served to the guests was offered to her. As she ate at the cook’s great table, the kitchen helpers all thanked her. Anne had allowed them to listen to her performance, behind the double doors. Later a maid helped Satine unhook her dress and prepare for bed. Before the candles were blown out for the night, Anne appeared in Satine’s room. She embraced and kissed her, thanking her for the part she played in making the dinner a great success.

  ‘Oh Satine, this is what I am made for, not only to be a wife and mother to our dear daughters but to be an outstanding hostess. In years to come the Commandant and I will entertain many dignitaries from many countries. This is my true life’s purpose and I have begun to fulfil it tonight.’

  ‘And thank you, Anne, for providing me with your beautiful dress and pearls. This has truly been the happiest day of my life too. And to think we now live in Noumea on Nouvelle-Caledonie. What a day this has been.’

  IX

  CLOTILDE’S school year of 1867 began with the arrival of three new children as more ships continued to reach Noumea carrying settlers and supplies. Two of her eldest students left the Government School bound for France and the homes of relatives. Here they would complete the remaining years of their upper school education before returning home to Noumea once again. With their loss and the addition of one extra desk, Clotilde was happy to accommodate the newcomers. One day after school was dismissed, she and Blandine sorted through a box of new school supplies. Again her eyes fell upon two more large boxes of pastels. Their colours were breath taking and included every hue under the sun.

  ‘Blandine, if only I knew what to do with these beautiful art supplies, I would offer art lessons to a small group of students. Have you ever worked with pastels before?’

  ‘No, I never have, but I’ve often wished that I could study art. I seem to remember that Henriette Maison, the wife of an officer, has a great ability in the field of botanical art. Her flower drawings and paintings are so well done that she sends them to the National Horticultural Society in Paris. The staff members there are very interested in documenting the flora of France’s many colonies.’

  ‘Would you approach her to see if she would teach us how to draw flowering plants and use these pastels to colour them?’

  ‘Yes, I’ll visit her when I finish helping you here. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if she would accept the two of us as her students?’

  ‘If she agrees, I will offer her a set of new watercolour paints and two brushes. We have extra ones here that I may never use.’

  Several days later Blandine returned with good news. ‘Henriette will be happy to give us six lessons and will offer these at the school on a Wednesday afternoon, after the students leave.’

  And so the two young women enthusiastically began their study of floral botanical art. They first learned how to draw in pencil and then apply the colours. Next they blended these with a small square of chamois, to create a picture with depth. They practiced setting out the seed pods, the young plants with their exposed roots, then crowning the collection with a mature flowering plant and its bud together on a single stem. These items were arranged on the paper in various compositions. Clotilde’s front garden provided them with specimens for their study. When the lessons had finished and Clotilde felt experienced enough, she offered floral botanical drawing to her class. Three of the older girls were eager to begin and soon Wednesday afternoon classes became their new focus.

  As the weather grew cooler, plants with different colours were needed so Clotilde and the three girls packed their pencils, pastels and sketching boards and moved to the Government Garden. Here they could work out of doors in the afternoon sunlight. They found benches to sit on near some of the more unusual flower beds. Occasionally people on their daily walks would stop to smile and chat, admiring their artistic efforts. One afternoon Jacques presented Clotilde with a beautiful plant, resplendent with colourful foliage and crowned with a deep golden canna lily. He placed it on the ground before her, smiled and then moved quickly away. When it rained during the next week a visit to the garden became impossible. To her surprise, a glass jar filled with a bouquet of vividly coloured flowers appeared on her back table. She knew who had brought it and felt gratitude for this thoughtful gesture. She left the empty jar on her table with a thank you note slipped underneath it. The next day the jar and its note were both gone.

  Three weeks had passed and Clotilde spoke to Yvonne with some consternation. ‘Satine must be very busy. So much time has passed since I last spoke with her. Have you heard any news that might explain why she hasn’t seen either of us?’ Walking with Yvonne in the garden the following Sunday afternoon, she finally caught a glimpse of Satine, strolling ahead on the arm of a young man. He was dressed in the uniform of a French military officer. As soon as Satine noticed Clotilde, she and her partner hurried over to greet them.

  ‘Clotilde and Yvonne, I’d like you to meet Germond. He arrived here in Nouvelle-Caledonie for the renaming day, to escort the Vicar Apostolic and the Governor.’

  ‘I’m delighted to meet you both,’ he replied in a resonant voice. ‘Satine has spoken often of you. We met after she played and sang for us so beautifully at the Commandant’s dinner. It has been my pleasure to spend Sunday afternoons with her since then.’

  ‘And it is my pleasure to meet you, Germond.’ Clotilde couldn’t help but notice how radiant and happy Satine looked and she felt a deep sense of joy for her friend. Perhaps Satine had found someone to love and care for her.

  ‘Later this year Germond will be recalled to the main administration centre in Tahiti. I know this seems very sudden, but he has asked me to go away with him when he leaves. When his orders are finalized, I will request that Anne Fleurier and the Commandant allow me to leave their service. Germond and I can then be married before we depart for Tahiti. Oh, Clotilde, I can hardly believe that I may be leaving Nouvelle-Caledonie before Christmas. I have been waiting for an opportunity to tell you this news and today it has finally happened.’

  ‘Congra
tulations, Satine and Germond. I wish you both much happiness. Please come and visit me before you finally leave. Father Gilbert will miss your organ playing so much.’

  Germond replied, ‘There are many ships carrying settlers that will arrive here during the next few years, Clotilde. Noumea will grow larger and another musician will surely be among the new arrivals.’

  Saying their farewells the two groups went their separate ways, but before the day was finished Clotilde experienced yet another surprise. When she reached her home, a letter from Mater Dei had been slipped under the front door. Tearing open the letter Clotilde noticed that the handwriting was not that of Sister Celeste, but belonged instead to Mother Germain. Sitting down at her schoolroom desk she began to read its contents.

  Our dear Clotilde,

  Over the past several years we have enjoyed receiving your letters and learning about the life you are experiencing on the other side of the world. All of us here at Mater Dei are very proud of your achievements, both as a teacher in the Government School and in the way you are living out your days as a fine young woman. Unfortunately this letter also contains a piece of news that will bring sadness to your heart.

  I know how close you were to Sister Celeste and how eagerly she awaited your letters. She loved you in a special way and always kept you in her prayers and thoughts.

  Several weeks ago a dreadful sickness spread through Paris and Sister Celeste became very ill with a high fever. We nursed her and prayed continually. Three days later as her fever increased, our dear Celeste died a peaceful death. On the night before she left us she whispered this message.

  ‘Tell my dearest Clotilde that I will always love her and will keep watch over her in the years ahead.’ And so dear heart, we all send you our loving comfort and sympathy. Please keep your letters coming to us as we never forget ‘our girls.’

  With our love and prayers,

  Mother Germain

  One cannot describe the deep feeling of loss that washed over Clotilde as she read these words. She would soon lose the joy and closeness of Satine’s presence and her only other experience of being loved was taken from her now, through the death of Sister Celeste. The terrible sense of aloneness and loss she had first experienced as a tiny child, brought to the Mater Dei Orphanage, nearly smothered her once again. She cried through the night until a deep sleep finally settled over her. In the following morning, sunshine streamed in through her bedroom window, bringing a new sense of hope and purpose. ‘Sister Celeste is with me,’ she whispered to herself. ‘I can feel her loving presence. She will watch over me and all will be well.’

  X

  SATINE was a radiant, beautiful bride. She and Germond were married on a glorious morning in the Church of Saint Joan. Clotilde and Yvonne were among many guests, including Commandant Fleurier and Anne, Judge LeBec and Vivienne, together with a number of military personnel. At the conclusion of the ceremony, six officers in full dress uniform formed a guard of honour as Satine and Germond walked under their two lines of crossed swords. An afternoon tea was provided in the private garden of the commandant’s house. Adjoining it was a small, well-furnished cottage where Satine and Germond would stay until their ship left for Tahiti two days later.

  Before the wedding, Clotilde was invited to visit Satine in her room. They enjoyed a long final visit together and shared many memories of their lives, from their days at Mater Dei until the present.

  ‘Come and look at my wedding gown,’ Satine called out as she led Clotilde to her adjoining small sitting room. ‘You are the first to see it.’ Draped over a chair was an exquisite dress and veil.

  ‘Oh, Satine, it’s absolutely beautiful,’ Clotilde remarked. ‘Where did you find all that white satin and the long lace veil? I thought you would be wearing the gown and veil from your trousseau?’

  ‘Anne wanted me to look more stylish since so many of the guests were connected to the commandant’s military personnel. I didn’t feel that I could disagree with her as she has shown me such kindness. As you may have guessed, Madame LeBlanc designed and made the dress. This is my wedding present from Anne and the Commandant.’

  ‘How kind of them both, Satine. They must think so highly of you. But what will become of Empress Eugenie’s dress and veil?’ asked Clotilde.

  ‘Ah, one of the maids in Anne’s household has requested leave to marry. She didn’t have a suitable wedding dress and veil so I offered my ensemble from the trousseau to her. It fitted her perfectly and she looked lovely in the outfit. Annette was beside herself with joy. I did find a way to make another happy with the gift from the empress, so all has ended well.’

  Satine would always be her dearly-loved friend, but of late she had also become a very grand lady, thought Clotilde. I only hope she and Germond will find happiness together in Tahiti. Days later as their ship sailed away from Noumea, Clotilde watched from the shore until it was only a speck on the horizon.

  On returning to her cottage, she discovered a note from Vivienne, asking if she could speak with her on Friday afternoon. Perhaps there is something she wants me to prepare the children for. We have already planned our final Christmas presentation for the parents of the school children, so it must be an important event she wants to discuss with me. On Friday, Vivienne appeared and asked Clotilde to sit with her in the empty school room.

  ‘You may have noticed that there are many ships arriving with new settlers. Noumea is going to become a large village next year, instead of a small settlement. As more children arrive we will need places in the school for them. Already you have squeezed a child into every possible space in your classroom and next year I will have four more children for you to teach.’

  ‘Vivienne, I don’t know where I’ll be able to put them. We are already so crowded. Is there a chance that the little ones can receive special teaching from another place?’

  ‘We will try to accommodate this as you should now be teaching only 8 to 12 year old pupils, before they leave to continue their education in France. When you open the school next January in 1868, I have been asked to tell you that this will be the final year the Government School will be operating. Already there is a large School of Saint Joan being planned and a group of teaching nuns from Paris will be sailing here next year to staff the school. The building of the new school will commence in March.’

  ‘I am not surprised as Noumea needs many new services. Already the settlement has accepted a hundred new settlers and homes must also be built for them and their families,’ Clotilde replied.

  ‘We are also expecting another doctor and a small hospital to be built soon. More shops have required a third paved street, so we are growing quickly, and Emperor Napoleon III is greatly pleased at this. As you may have guessed, the cottage you are now living in must be expanded as more government residences are needed. There will be time next year to find another good living place for you and further teaching opportunities, if you wish.’

  ‘Thank you for giving me this information, Vivienne. It gives me a chance now to think about further plans I may want to make. Yes, life in Noumea is beginning to change very quickly.’

  The school year finished on a high note as Clotilde’s Christmas holidays came upon her. She had organized another closing program, attended by all her enthusiastic parents. Each of the children was featured in some small way and the group singing and poetry recitations were all well presented. Collecting a portion of extra money she had saved from her wages, Clotilde decided to treat herself to a new dress and hat to wear on Christmas day. Off she went again to Madame LeBlanc, who as usual had new samples of light floral muslin on display

  ‘Let me suggest several patterns that would suit your hair and eyes, Clotilde. I have this elegant floral toile pattern of pastel flowers scattered on a pale turquoise background. I’ll trim it with some wide lace at the edges of your softly puffed sleeves and make a collar of lace for the bodice.’

  ‘I love the design and colour of this fabric. It will do beautifully.’
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br />   ‘See this gorgeous turquoise velvet ribbon. Let me make a sash from it and I’ll craft three small bows to decorate the dress front. When you buy your hat, bring it to me and I’ll trim it with the same velvet band and a bow. You will be so beautiful for Christmas, my little darling. Oh, how I enjoy making women look their best.’

  ‘Thank you, Madame LeBlanc. You can always be counted on,’ Clotilde responded. Walking home with a spring in her step, Clotilde whispered aloud, ‘There’s nothing like a new outfit to raise one’s spirits.’

  And with the approach of Christmas, there was another one who also looked forward with great expectancy to this date. The time had finally arrived for Jacques to complete his four year sentence and be awarded with his pardon. He had worked very hard during the past four years and carefully observed all the conditions that had been placed upon him. Duphly, the head gardener was pleased with his work and could be counted on to offer a good word on his behalf. Finally the long awaited letter arrived, requesting his presence at the Commandant’s office the following afternoon. He showed the letter to Duphly, who placed his arms around Jacques and wished him success. Jacques washed his best shirt, hands and face, combed his hair and set off the following day.

  ‘Please step forward, young man. Are you the one called Jacques Vallon?’

  ‘I am he, sir.’

  ‘Are you aware that you have now completed your sentence? I have been told that you have faithfully kept all your terms of service.’

  ‘Yes, I have.’

  ‘I have received much praise on your behalf from your superiors and I wish to commend you on the work you have achieved in the Government Garden. Through your efforts and those of Duphly, we have one of the finest gardens here in the South Pacific. As of now, you are a free man and so you have a choice - either to return to France or to stay on here to continue your fine work. Should you decide to remain with us you will be rewarded with a parcel of land in Noumea and the opportunity to pursue paid work. You could have a great future here, but your choice will be honoured of course. Now, I await your reply, Monsieur Vallon?’