SATINE was a radiant, beautiful bride. She and Germond were married on a glorious morning in the Church of Saint Joan. Clotilde and Yvonne were among many guests, including Commandant Fleurier and Anne, Judge LeBec and Vivienne, together with a number of military personnel. At the conclusion of the ceremony, six officers in full dress uniform formed a guard of honour as Satine and Germond walked under their two lines of crossed swords. An afternoon tea was provided in the private garden of the commandant’s house. Adjoining it was a small, well-furnished cottage where Satine and Germond would stay until their ship left for Tahiti two days later.
Before the wedding, Clotilde was invited to visit Satine in her room. They enjoyed a long final visit together and shared many memories of their lives, from their days at Mater Dei until the present.
‘Come and look at my wedding gown,’ Satine called out as she led Clotilde to her adjoining small sitting room. ‘You are the first to see it.’ Draped over a chair was an exquisite dress and veil.
‘Oh, Satine, it’s absolutely beautiful,’ Clotilde remarked. ‘Where did you find all that white satin and the long lace veil? I thought you would be wearing the gown and veil from your trousseau?’
‘Anne wanted me to look more stylish since so many of the guests were connected to the commandant’s military personnel. I didn’t feel that I could disagree with her as she has shown me such kindness. As you may have guessed, Madame LeBlanc designed and made the dress. This is my wedding present from Anne and the Commandant.’
‘How kind of them both, Satine. They must think so highly of you. But what will become of Empress Eugenie’s dress and veil?’ asked Clotilde.
‘Ah, one of the maids in Anne’s household has requested leave to marry. She didn’t have a suitable wedding dress and veil so I offered my ensemble from the trousseau to her. It fitted her perfectly and she looked lovely in the outfit. Annette was beside herself with joy. I did find a way to make another happy with the gift from the empress, so all has ended well.’
Satine would always be her dearly-loved friend, but of late she had also become a very grand lady, thought Clotilde. I only hope she and Germond will find happiness together in Tahiti. Days later as their ship sailed away from Noumea, Clotilde watched from the shore until it was only a speck on the horizon.
On returning to her cottage, she discovered a note from Vivienne, asking if she could speak with her on Friday afternoon. Perhaps there is something she wants me to prepare the children for. We have already planned our final Christmas presentation for the parents of the school children, so it must be an important event she wants to discuss with me. On Friday, Vivienne appeared and asked Clotilde to sit with her in the empty school room.
‘You may have noticed that there are many ships arriving with new settlers. Noumea is going to become a large village next year, instead of a small settlement. As more children arrive we will need places in the school for them. Already you have squeezed a child into every possible space in your classroom and next year I will have four more children for you to teach.’
‘Vivienne, I don’t know where I’ll be able to put them. We are already so crowded. Is there a chance that the little ones can receive special teaching from another place?’
‘We will try to accommodate this as you should now be teaching only 8 to 12 year old pupils, before they leave to continue their education in France. When you open the school next January in 1868, I have been asked to tell you that this will be the final year the Government School will be operating. Already there is a large School of Saint Joan being planned and a group of teaching nuns from Paris will be sailing here next year to staff the school. The building of the new school will commence in March.’
‘I am not surprised as Noumea needs many new services. Already the settlement has accepted a hundred new settlers and homes must also be built for them and their families,’ Clotilde replied.
‘We are also expecting another doctor and a small hospital to be built soon. More shops have required a third paved street, so we are growing quickly, and Emperor Napoleon III is greatly pleased at this. As you may have guessed, the cottage you are now living in must be expanded as more government residences are needed. There will be time next year to find another good living place for you and further teaching opportunities, if you wish.’
‘Thank you for giving me this information, Vivienne. It gives me a chance now to think about further plans I may want to make. Yes, life in Noumea is beginning to change very quickly.’
The school year finished on a high note as Clotilde’s Christmas holidays came upon her. She had organized another closing program, attended by all her enthusiastic parents. Each of the children was featured in some small way and the group singing and poetry recitations were all well presented. Collecting a portion of extra money she had saved from her wages, Clotilde decided to treat herself to a new dress and hat to wear on Christmas day. Off she went again to Madame LeBlanc, who as usual had new samples of light floral muslin on display
‘Let me suggest several patterns that would suit your hair and eyes, Clotilde. I have this elegant floral toile pattern of pastel flowers scattered on a pale turquoise background. I’ll trim it with some wide lace at the edges of your softly puffed sleeves and make a collar of lace for the bodice.’
‘I love the design and colour of this fabric. It will do beautifully.’
‘See this gorgeous turquoise velvet ribbon. Let me make a sash from it and I’ll craft three small bows to decorate the dress front. When you buy your hat, bring it to me and I’ll trim it with the same velvet band and a bow. You will be so beautiful for Christmas, my little darling. Oh, how I enjoy making women look their best.’
‘Thank you, Madame LeBlanc. You can always be counted on,’ Clotilde responded. Walking home with a spring in her step, Clotilde whispered aloud, ‘There’s nothing like a new outfit to raise one’s spirits.’
And with the approach of Christmas, there was another one who also looked forward with great expectancy to this date. The time had finally arrived for Jacques to complete his four year sentence and be awarded with his pardon. He had worked very hard during the past four years and carefully observed all the conditions that had been placed upon him. Duphly, the head gardener was pleased with his work and could be counted on to offer a good word on his behalf. Finally the long awaited letter arrived, requesting his presence at the Commandant’s office the following afternoon. He showed the letter to Duphly, who placed his arms around Jacques and wished him success. Jacques washed his best shirt, hands and face, combed his hair and set off the following day.
‘Please step forward, young man. Are you the one called Jacques Vallon?’
‘I am he, sir.’
‘Are you aware that you have now completed your sentence? I have been told that you have faithfully kept all your terms of service.’
‘Yes, I have.’
‘I have received much praise on your behalf from your superiors and I wish to commend you on the work you have achieved in the Government Garden. Through your efforts and those of Duphly, we have one of the finest gardens here in the South Pacific. As of now, you are a free man and so you have a choice - either to return to France or to stay on here to continue your fine work. Should you decide to remain with us you will be rewarded with a parcel of land in Noumea and the opportunity to pursue paid work. You could have a great future here, but your choice will be honoured of course. Now, I await your reply, Monsieur Vallon?’
He called me Monsieur, thought Jacques. At last, I am truly free.
‘I have considered your generous offer, sir, and I wish to remain in Nouvelle-Caledonie. There are many opportunities here and my skills could be useful in Noumea. I am also happy to be living with the people of Noumea as they have always treated me with kindness.’
‘Well done, young man. Now step over to the table and sign your pardon before my notary. Here is a note from me as well, to present to the men’s clothing store. As my gift to you, please choose a new pair of boots, two new shirts and one pair of trousers to assist you in your new life. There is also a small packet of money here on the table to help you until you are paid by the Government Garden. Duphly still requires your assistance and you can continue to live in the garden shed until you take possession of your land and begin to build your own home. Enjoy and respect your freedom and you will create a fine life for yourself here with us.’
As the commandant rose, he formally embraced Jacques then cried out, ‘To the Glory of France!’
Jacques replied, ‘To the Glory of France! And thank you, sir, for your generosity. I will never disappoint you.’
He signed his paper with a flourish and as waves of joy engulfed him, Jacques made his way toward the clothing shop. For the first time in many years he wanted to sing. He began to run and then to jump - free, free at last. Finally he could write to Uncle Leon and Aunt Cecine, telling them he was alive and well, with an opportunity to create a good life here. Just the thought of casting off his shabby clothing, to enjoy fresh meat, cheese and fruit again, to determine his future and earn some money, to fall in love and even to marry - all these wonderful possibilities put a great spring in his step.