CHAPTER I. Character and manners of Ver-Vert.-His popularity in the Convent, and the life he led with the Nuns.-Toilets and looking-glasses not unknown among those ladies.- Four canary birds and two cats die of rage and jealousy. AT Nevers, in the Convent of the Visitation, lived, not long ago, a famous parrot. His talents and good temper, nay, the virtues he possessed, besides his more earthly graces, would have rendered his whole life as happy as a portion of it, if happiness had been made for hearts like his. Ver-Vert (for such was his name) was brought early from his native country; and while yet in his tender years, and ignorant of everything, was shut up in this convent for his good. He was a handsome creature, brilliant, spruce, and full of spirits, Iwith all the candour and amiableness natural to his time of life; innocent withal as could be: in short, a bird worthy of such a blessed cage. His very prattle showed him born for a convent. When we say that nuns undertake to look after a thing, we say all. No need to enter into the delicacy of their attentions. Nobody could rival the affection which was borne our hero by every mother in the convent, except the confessor; and even with respect to him, a sincere MS. has left it on record, that in more than one heart the bird had the advan tage of the holy Father. He partook, at any rate, of all the pretty sops and syrups with which the dear Father in God (thanks to the kindness of the sweet nuns) consoled his reverend stomach. Nuns have leisure: they have also loving hearts. VerVert was a legitimate object of attachment, and he became the soul of the place. All the house loved him, except a few old nuns whom time and the toothache rendered jealous surveyors of the young ones. Not having arrived at years of discretion, too much judgment was not expected of him. He said and did what he pleased, and everything was found charming. He lightened the labours of the good sisters by his engaging ways,-pulling their veils, and pecking their stomachers. No party could be pleasant if he was not there to shine and to sidle about; to flutter and to whistle, and play the nightingale. Sport he did, that is certain; and yet he had all the modesty, all the prudent daring and submission in the midst of his pretensions, which became a novice, even in sporting. Twenty tongues were incessantly asking him questions, and he answered with propriety to every one. It was thus, of old, that Cæsar dictated to four persons at once in four different styles. Our favourite had the whole range of the house. He preferred dining in the refectory, where he ate as he pleased. In the intervals of the table, being of an indefatigable stomach, he amused his palate with pocket-loads of sweetmeats which the nuns always carried about for him. Delicate attentions, ingenious and preventing cares, were born, they say, among the nuns of the Visitation. The happy VerVert had reason to think so. He had a better place of it than a parrot at court. He lay, lapped up, as it were, in the very glove of contentment. At bed-time he repaired to whatever cell he chose; and happy, too happy was the blessed sister, whose retreat at the return of nightfall it pleased him to honour with his presence. He seldom lodged with the old ones. The novices, with their simple beds, were more to his taste; which, you must observe, had always a peculiar turn for propriety. Ver-Vert used to take his station on the agnus-box,* and remain there till the star of Venus rose in the morning. He had then the pleasure of witnessing the toilet of the fresh little nun; for between ourselves (and I say it in a whisper) nuns have toilets. I have read somewhere, that they even like good ones. Plain veils require to be put on properly, as well as lace and diamonds. Furthermore, they have their fashions and modes. There is an art, a gusto in these things, inseparable from their natures. Sackcloth itself may sit well. Huckaback may have an air. The swarm of the little loves who meddle in all directions, and who know how to whisk through the grates of convents, take a pleasure in giving a profane turn to a bandeau,—a piquancy to a nun's tucker. In short, before one goes to the parlour, it * A box containing a religious figure of a Lamb. is as well to give a glance or two at the lookingglass. But let that rest. I say all in confidence: so now to return to our hero. - In this blissful state of indolence Ver-Vert passed his time without a care, without a moment of ennui,-lord, undisputed, of all hearts. For him sister Agatha forgot her sparrows: for him, or because of him, four canary birds died out of rage and spite ;—for him, a couple of tom-cats, once in favour, took to their cushions, and never afterwards held up their heads. Who could have foreboded, in the course of a life so charming, that the morals of our hero were taken care of, only to be ruined! that a day should arise, a day full of guilt and astonishment, when Ver-Vert, the idol of so many hearts, should be nothing but an object of pity and horror! Let us husband our tears as long as possible, for come they must :-sad fruit of the over-tender care of our dear little sisters! CHAPTER II. Further details respecting the piety and accomplishments of our hero.-Sister Melanie in the habit of exhibiting them.—A visit from him is requested by the Nuns of the Visitation at Nantes. ·Consternation in the Convent. The visit conceded.Agonies at his departure. You may guess, that, in a school like this, a bird of our hero's parts of speech could want nothing to complete his education. Like a nun, he never ceased talking, except at meals; but at the same time, he always spoke like a book. His style was pickled and preserved in the very sauce and sugar of good behaviour. He was none of your flashy parrots, puffed up with airs of fashion and learned only in vanities. Ver-Vert was a devout fowl; a beautiful soul, led by the hand of innocence. He had no notion of evil; never uttered an improper word; but then to be even with those who knew how to talk, he was deep in canticles, Oremuses, and mystical colloquies. His Pax vobiscum was edifying. His Hail, sister! was not to be lightly thought of. He knew even a "Meditation" or so, and some of the delicatest touches out of "Marie Alacoque.' Doubtless he had every help to edification. There were many learned sisters in the convent who knew * A famous devotee. |