Latin Lessons

“Where have you been?” Madame Conti’s sharp, angry voice rang through the halls, “I’ve been searching for you this entire hour at least! Careless, unfeeling child! Did you think you could escape your Latin lesson when you know very well it is the dearest wish of your father that you become an educated proper young lady? What do you mean by scampering about the forest and heaven knows where else in this wild manner?
“I was only-”
“None of that, I will not tolerate this! You tear your petticoats and dirty your shoes! You leave the house without giving me the slightest notion of where you’re going or what you’re up to!” She seized Marie’s hand resolutely, “Come with me Marie Emil Lynnette, you shall see what your father has to say about this.” So saying Madame Conti pulled Marie roughly to the great oak door of her father’s study.
“Come in.” Marie heard her father’s deep voice through the door. “Ah, Madame Conti, Marie. Is something the matter?” His face was pale and weary.
“Yes Monsieur, something is the matter. I’ve just come-”
Swiftly Marie wrenched away from Madame Conti’s grip and ran to her father’s side, putting her arms about his neck.
Irritated, Madame Conti continued, “I have come to inform you of your daughter’s indifferent behavior towards her education Monsieur. It seems that ever since your son has gone away she will not concentrate on her lessons. Her mind is ever elsewhere. Instead she runs away from the house and tears and soils her clothes. She does not inform me when she goes and refuses to listen to a word I tell her.”
“Is this true?” he asked softly, looking into his daughter’s eyes as only a father can.
“Yes Papa, it is true.” Her small voice quivered, “But Papa, I was only gone to the sea because I missed Antoine. I did not mean to frighten Nurse.” Her voice became smaller still, “I only missed Antoine.”