Belle-Rose — page 174: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

THE CONFESSION OF A MAGDALEN. 163 Monsieur d’Assonville, and that at this interview our child was to assist. ”’ ‘‘You would have done this, Genevieve?’’ exclaimed Belle-Rose. “T was going to ‘do it, when I learned that Monsieur d’Assonville had charged an unknown person to represent him. This discovery made me indignant; I believed that he had revealed our secret, and I resolved to have by cunning, or force if need be, the papers which might com- promise me.’’ ‘Then you have suspected a gentleman so loyal as Mon- sieur d’Assonville?”’ ‘Alas! when one is accustomed to practice evil, one quickly forgets belief in the good. But,’’ Genevieve hastened to add, ‘‘in having you come to the pavilion, where I received you masked, my intention was only to eblige you to hand over to me the papers which stated the rights of Monsieur d’Assonville; sure then that he could not take my son from me, I would have given way to his affection. I was already tired of that adventurous life in which every distraction was tainted with poison. I saw you, you have saved me, you were young, valiant, gener- ous, and proud. You know how much I loved you at once. - I saw through you as one sees through a limpid stream, and your valiant nature gave back to minea little of its youth and its freshness. Oh! why was I not a young girl then? I would have been worthy of you. Perhaps you would have loved me.’’ ‘‘Genevieve! Genevieve!’ exclaimed Belle-Rose agitated by this outburst, “say, did I not love you?”’ At this cry a flash of joy illuminated the pale face of Genevieve. “You have loved me,’’ said she; ‘‘is it indeed true? Is it pity which causes you to say so, or is it the impulse of your heart? I have been loved! Ihave had my part of happiness, and you will not curse me, and you will have at times my name upon your lips!’ What must Ido, say? Your will will be my law; speak, and I obey. But do not banish me from your recollection. Wherever I go; and whatever happens to me, permit me to carry away a word which consoles me and elevates me, Jacques, my friend, _ your hand! my God! your hand!’’ Jacques took Genevieve’s head between his hands and kissed her on the forehead. _ You" have loved, you have suffered! may God pardon — your!” said he, | Eomicbooks (E(0)