The Trousseau (5 page)

And at the garden's centre where all the pathways converged, a magnificent three tiered fountain was erected in a large reflecting pool. Around its perimeter, flower beds added colour and drama to the setting. As the garden slowly reached its glory, Jacque's first two years had proved to be interesting and filled with happiness. Perhaps it was a good thing after all to have collected those four onions!

THE
next year passed quickly as Clotilde established her little school. Its doors opened officially in mid-January when eleven young students came forward to greet her, their eyes shining with excitement. Between her teaching, maintaining a vegetable garden, shopping on Saturday afternoons and spending time on Sunday visiting with friends, her days were filled. Yvonne, another young settler who arrived in March, was only too happy to offer a weekly singing class to the school children.

As July approached, the colony received an exciting piece of news that brought a special sense of jubilation to all. Vivienne was the first to alert the school to this event.

‘Clotilde, I have great news to share with you, which you must also pass on to the children. It's my pleasure to let you know that our Settlement, Port-de-France, is going to be officially renamed on a special community day, scheduled for October of this year.'

‘Why are we calling Port-de-France by another name?' Clotilde asked.

‘In a letter from the Emperor himself, it seems that Port-de-France is often being confused with Fort-de-France in Martinique. As our French colonial presence is expanding throughout the world, it has been deemed necessary to identify our settlement here a by a new name, that of Noumea. To mark this event Governor Gillian and Father Pierre Rougeyron, our Vicar Apostolic, will leave Tahiti and sail to Grande Terre where they will both officially inaugurate the change. The Emperor anticipates that this colony will continue to grow very quickly during the next few years and it is possible that Governor Gillian may eventually live here among us.'

‘This should be a grand occasion and I hope that the children and I can participate in the festivities.'

‘We plan to organize a tour of our settlement and this will include the Government School. Perhaps the children can display some of their school work and even prepare a short program to welcome these distinguished guests.'

‘Rest assured, Vivienne, that we will begin our preparations immediately,' Clotilde replied.

On the following Sunday, an excited Satine met Clotilde in the Government Garden. ‘Have you heard the news about the renaming celebrations?'

‘Oh yes, Vivienne told me all about it and I will feature the school and the children in this event. The official party will visit us during the tour.'

Satine continued, ‘Anne Fleurier will be the hostess for a gala dinner in her home that will include: Governor Gillian, Father Rougeyron, Father Gilbert, two French officers accompanying the visitors, Judge LeBec and his wife Vivienne, Anne and Commandant Fleurier. The Governor will be staying in the guest rooms at the Commandant's large cottage. Father Rougeyron will reside with Father Gilbert in his cottage next to the church. But best of all, Anne has asked me to play and sing for the guests after the dinner. I am very excited and have already selected my program and started to practice.'

‘Oh Satine, you will add such a tone to this occasion.'

‘There will also be a special mass of celebration so I'll play the organ on this day as well. For my performance after the dinner, Anne has offered me one of her ball gowns and a pearl necklace so that I can present myself at my best. Her maid will also arrange my hair. I'm so excited at the prospect of this wonderful day.'

The girls chatted on and after returning to her cottage Clotilde looked through her clothing. Her wardrobe was in need of something new and more appropriate. I have a pair of good shoes, she thought to herself, but a white blouse and black skirt seems too plain for my day wear. I'll visit the LeBlanc sisters next Saturday and have something made up for the occasion.

Saturday finally arrived and an excited Clotilde entered the dress shop. ‘You've come to see us, Clotilde, about something new for the day of renaming celebrations. We are both being run off our feet with orders for new dresses but we will also accommodate your wishes. Everyone must look their best on that day.'

‘Madame LeBlanc, the official party will visit our school as part of the tour and I'm preparing a program for the children to present. I need something more appropriate for classroom wear on that day.'

‘Ah, it should be a blouse and skirt, but it need not be black and white. Just look at this lovely navy blue skirt fabric. Isn't it a most attractive colour, yet it is sturdy, suitable and long wearing. With your chestnut hair and blue green eyes, what do you think of this cotton muslin that just arrived?' Madame LeBlanc spread out a roll of soft cotton fabric on her large table. It had thin alternating pin stripes of dark blue and deep brown on a pale green background.

‘Oh, I love the pattern and its colours. This would make such a beautiful blouse and it goes so well with the skirt fabric,' Clotilde replied.

‘I'll keep the stripes in the blouse vertical while introducing a trim of the same fabric cut on the bias. This trim will be used for a small high buttoned collar and high buttoned cuffs on its long tapered sleeves. All the buttons will be self-covered in bias. There should be a few tucks running straight down the front to complete the look. These will set off the pin stripes. Now let me place the skirt material next to it.
Voila
, isn't this stylish, yet practical.'

‘It will be just perfect for the occasion.'

Throwing her arms around Clotilde she exclaimed, ‘
Oui,
I am a true genius when it comes to fashion. Is it not so? You will be stunning in this outfit. Wear it on Sundays too after the celebrations, when you and your pretty little friend, the musician, walk together in the garden. I see that tall, young gardener look admiringly at you as you walk by. What will he make of you then?' Laughing she told Clotilde, ‘Oh yes, I see and know everything that goes on here in Grande Terre.'

‘Oh, Madame LeBlanc,' replied Clotilde who was now blushing. ‘You are indeed a genius and thankfully you also have my measurements. Please make this up for me when you have the time. I look forward to wearing it.' But as Clotilde returned home she mused to herself. Whatever could Madame have meant when she spoke of Jacques, looking at her?

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.'

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.'

‘Congratulations, 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.'