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Updated: June 28, 2025
The fear that Ourson would feel repugnance towards her made her heart tremble; but this thought, which was wholly personal, was very fleeting it could not triumph over her devoted tenderness. Her only response was to throw herself in the arms of Agnella, and say: "Mother, embrace your fair and pretty Violette for the last time."
"Hush! hush! poor Ourson," exclaimed Violette, putting her little hand on his mouth; "Violette will certainly never make you cry again." While saying these words Violette's voice was trembling and her sweet eyes were full of tears. "Good little girl!" said Agnella, embracing her; "you love our poor Ourson, who is so unhappy!" "Oh, yes! Violette loves Ourson will always love Ourson!"
She had scarcely uttered these words when the brave Ourson sprang towards the burning house and notwithstanding the tears and supplications of Agnella, Violette and Passerose, disappeared in the flames exclaiming: "You shall have the casket, mother, or I will perish with it!" A horrible silence followed this act of Ourson.
While he was washing, Passerose, who had like Ourson risen at a very early hour and had come out to milk the cow, left the house-door open. Ourson entered quietly and proceeded to the chamber of his mother, who was still sleeping. He drew back the curtains from Violette's bed and found her sleeping as peacefully as Agnella.
She ran to the house to apprise Agnella and they both ran rapidly toward the stream from which the cries for help seemed to come. On approaching, they saw with surprise and alarm that Violette and Ourson were lying on the ground in a state of unconsciousness. Passerose placed her hand on Violette's heart and felt it still beating.
She now awoke, weeping bitterly, with all the symptoms of great alarm. She clasped Ourson tightly with her little arms: he tried in vain to reassure and control her but she still exclaimed: "Wicked toad! good Ourson! save Violette!" Agnella, who had awaked at her first cry, could not yet understand Violette's alarm but she succeeded at last in calming her and the child told her dream.
I am going now to see what the fairy has prepared for Violette's dress to-morrow morning." She ran quickly and opened the wardrobe, and found it filled with clothing, linen and hosiery, all plain but good and comfortable. After having looked at all, counted all and approved all and after having assisted Agnella to undress, Passerose went to bed and was soon sound asleep.
The man looked up, recoiled a step when he saw Ourson and examined him with the greatest surprise. "Who are you and what do you want?" said he, in a rude voice. "Sir, I am the son of Agnella, mistress of the Woodland Farm." "Well! and what has brought you here?" "Our house is burned down, sir. I am seeking work in order to support my mother and sister.
She went to the milking with Passerose, helped to strain the milk and skim it and wash the marble flag-stones. She was never out of temper, never disobedient and never answered impatiently or angrily. Ourson loved her more and more from day to day. Agnella and Passerose were also very fond of her and the more so because they knew that she was Ourson's cousin.
Agnella rose and said to Violette in a solemn tone: "Your grief is just, my daughter. Never did a more noble or generous heart beat in a human form than Ourson's and he loved you more than he loved himself to spare your grief he sacrificed his happiness and his life."
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