Belle-Rose — page 63: what you’re looking at

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

52 LOST ILLUSIONS. 7 aes tual affection, nor did he wish it supposed that you had been guilty of. having abused my father’s confidence in the hope of marrying me in order to increase your fortune. He assured me that never would hecon- sent tothe union of his son with a person who would choose him | against the will of her family. Ihave seen this old man weep, my friend, and I have gone away thoroughly upset. In my loneliness I have thrown myself at the feet of an old priest, my confessor. He has listened to me with pious charity. ‘Raise your soul to God,’ he has said to me, ‘and make him an offering of your grief; children owe obedience to their parents.’ ‘For one moment I thought of taking the vail; but I andemcane that if I gave myself to God, I was lostto you. J ust at the moment I was most worried your sister came to me. She was no longer the laughing and frolicsome girl whom you have known, Her eyes were red with weeping. ‘Suzanne,’ she said to me, ‘ itis your dutyto _ obey. Heloves you too well not to pardon you.’ My father came up. I understood that he was expecting my reply : I threw myself weep- ing into his arms. He kissed me on the forehead; his joy was my only - consolation at that supreme hour, ‘Whom have you chosen?’ he said tome. Alas! I had not even thought of that! The two gentlemen — presented themselves to my mind. M. de Pomereux was young and handsome, the other was old and snffering. I did not hesitate. ‘M. d’Albergotti,’ I replied. My father appeared astonished, but he did not manifest his surprise otherwise than by a movement of the lips. ‘So be it,’ said he, ‘Iam going to write to him.’ Two days after M. d’Albergotti returned to Malzonvilliers. ‘i owe you some gratitude,’ he said to me; ‘but be assured that I will endeavor. to give you as — much happiness as you could hope for from a father.’ His voice and the look which accompanied these words touched me deeply, and I placed my hand in his. Have courage, my friend ; honor and daty commanded me to do what I have done ; you will suffer with me with- out condemning me. We will accustom ourselves to think of each other only as a brother thinks of asister. You will be mine, and none other than you and my husband shall enter a heart which has taken refuge in God. Farewell, Jacques, in three days I will be the wife of another ; it will no longer be permitted me to write to you. Through pity, do not despair ; your despair would render me mad, and even now I hardly possess enough reason to exhort you to thesacrifice. But is not my part the most bitter? You remain free—free to love—and I am enchained. SUZANNE.” When Jacques finished this reading, he arose. His face was as white as a taper; no tear dimmed the feverish bril-— liancy of his. glance; he, who was easily moved, remained — jmpassible while facing this profound grief which lacer- ated his entire being. He walked with a quick but firm step toward the house of Monsieur de Naucrais and en- tered. The captain was at work. At the name given him by the sapper on guard, Monsieur de Naucrais, without - turning around, asked Belle-Rose what he wanted. ‘A leave, ”’ replied the sergeant. “* Hey !’’ said the captain. ‘‘You wish a leave?”’ comicbooks GO |