Waif to Lady

d a lot of English and had an excellent memory, but when she listened to Sarah and Claudia talking like □□s about fashion, balls, and theatre, many words were beyond her comprehension.

However, a new topic being discussed over there attracted her attention.

"Yes, if you had such an affectionate little brother, who climbed high trees every day just to pick berries for you, even living in a small bamboo house with barbarians, you wouldn''t feel lonely." Sarah let out a sigh, pretending to be melancholic.

Fiona was curious and gathered up the courage to walk up to them and ask, "What little brother are you talking about?"

"You don''t even know Paul et Virginie?" Sarah sneered at Fiona, rolling her eyes.

Claudia immediately joined in, mocking her in a sharp, high-pitched voice, "You''re a rube, ha ha ha! Listen, how terrible her accent is! You''re not worthy to play with us."

Fiona went red as a beetroot, tears all at once welled up in her eyes. Even the other little girls crouched on the ground looking at her with pity became blurry and trembling.

The little girl held back her tears, refusing to blink until she turned her back to her classmates and squatted back against the wall. She fluttered her butterfly-like eyelashes, letting her tears fall on the ground.

"I''m so foolish, I thought I had already entered heaven! I''ve never belonged with them!" Fiona thought sadly, determined never to try to join the group again.

In music class, she stared blankly at the sheet music on the stand that she knew nothing about. Under the guidance of the Mother, the other girls in the classroom sang sweet and touching hymns, "Grant me life, O Lord Jesus divine, each day and night, my praise be thine; In your radiance, I humbly incline, and sing your name, in melodies fine..."

Fiona didn''t even open her mouth.

"Are you feeling unwell, Miss Sèvremont?" the young nun asked with concern.

The gi