human
Bonaparte is kind to them, as you say, Margot. And if Vincent should win our Aimee, that will be another security for the lads; for no one doubts his attachment to France.
gpt
I hope Vincent will win her. But when will you send for the boys? They have been gone very long. When will you send?
human
As soon as affairs will allow. Do not urge me, Margot. I think of it day and night.
gpt
Then there is some danger. You would not speak so if there were not. Oh! my husband! marry Vincent to Aimee! You say that will be a security.
human
We must not forget Aimee herself, my love. If she should hereafter find her heart torn between her lover and her parents--if the hour should come for every one here to choose between Bonaparte and me, and Vincent should still adore the First of the Whites, what will become of the child of the First of the Blacks? Ought not her parents to have foreseen such a struggle?
gpt
Alas! what is to become of us all, Toussaint?
human
Perhaps Genifrede is the happiest of our children, Margot. She looks anxious to-day; but in a few more days, I hope even her trembling heart will be at rest.
gpt
It never will, said. Margot, mournfully.
human
I think there is some evil influence upon our poor child, to afflict her with perpetual fear. She still fears ghosts, rather than fear nothing. She enjoys nothing, except when Moyse is by her side.
gpt
Well, Moyse will presently be by her side; and for life.--I was proud of him, Margot, last week, at Cap. I know his military talents, from the day when we used to call the boy General Moyse. I saw by his eye, when I announced him as General Moyse in Cap, that he remembered those old days on the north shore. Oh, yes, I was aware of his talents in that direction, from his boyhood; but I found in him power of another kind. You know what a passionate lover he is.
human
Yes, indeed. Never did I see such a lover!
gpt
Well, he puts this same power and devotedness into his occupation of the hour, whatever it may be.
human
Do you mean that he forgets Genifrede, when he is away from her?
gpt
I rather hope that it is the remembrance of her that animates him in his work. I'm sure that it is so; for I said a few words to him about home, which made him very happy. If I were to see him failing, as we once feared he would--if I saw him yielding to his passions--to the prejudices and passions of the negro and the slave, my reproof would be, `You forget Genifrede.' Moyse has yet much to learn--and much to overcome; yet I look upon Genifrede as perhaps the most favoured of our children. It is so great a thing to be so beloved!
human
It is indeed the greatest thing. Margot stopped, as a turn in the walk brought them in view of the house. The long ranges of verandah stood in the moonlight, checkered with the still shadows of the neighbouring trees. Every window of the large white mansion gave out a stream of yellow light, to contrast with the silvery shining of the moon.
gpt
This is very unlike the hut we went to when we were married, Toussaint. Yet I was quite happy and contented. It is indeed the greatest thing to be loved.
human
And have you not that greatest thing here too? Do I not love you, my Margot?
gpt
Oh, yes! Yes, indeed, we love each other as much as we did then--in that single room, with its earthen floor, and its cribs against the wall, and the iron pot in the fireplace, and the hen pecking before the door. But, Toussaint, look at the difference now! Look at this beautiful house, and all the gardens and cane-pieces--and think of our palace at Port-au-Prince--and think of the girls as they look at church, or in the boat to-day--and how the country is up, rejoicing, wherever you go--and how the Assembly consider you--think of all that has happened since, the wedding-day of ours at Breda! It is so fine--so wonderful, that you shall not frighten me about anything that can happen. I am sure the blessing of God is upon you, my husband; and you shall not make me afraid.
human
I would have none be afraid while God reigns, Margot. May you ever say that you will not fear! The blessing of God may be on us now, love; but it was never more so than when we went home to our hut at Breda. When I lay under the trees at noon, taking care of the cattle, how many things I used to think of to say to you when I came home!
gpt
And so did I, as I kneeled at my washing by the brook-side, and you were driving Monsieur Bayou, twenty miles off, and were expected home in the evening. How much there was to say at the end of those days!
human
It was not for ourselves then, Margot, that we have been raised to what we are. We were as happy drawing water in the wood, and gathering plantains in the negro-grounds, as we have ever been in these shrubberies. We were as merry in that single room at Breda as in this mansion, or in our palace. It is not for our own sakes that we have been so raised.
gpt
It is pleasant for our children.
human
It is. And it is good for our race. It is to make us their servants. Oh! Margot, if ever you find a thought of pride stirring at your heart, remember that if the blacks were less ignorant and more wise, it would not matter whether we lived as we used to do, or as we live now. It is because we negroes are vain and corrupted, that show and state are necessary: and the sight of our show and state should, therefore, humble us.
gpt
I am sure you are not fond of show and state. You eat and drink, and wait upon yourself, as you did at Breda; and your uniform is the only fine dress you like to wear. I am sure you had rather have no court.
human
Very true. I submit to such state as we have about us, for the sake of the negroes who need it. To me it is a sacrifice; but, Margot, we must make sacrifices--perhaps some which you may little dream of, while looking round upon our possessions, and our rank, and our children, worshipped as they are. We must carry the same spirit of sacrifice into all our acts; and be ready to suffer, and perhaps to fall, for the sake of the blacks. The less pride now, Margot, the less shame and sorrow then!
gpt
I wish not to be proud, said Margot, trembling--
human
I pray that I may not be proud; but it is difficult--Hark! there is a footstep! Let us turn into this alley.
gpt
Nay, said Toussaint;
human
For ever wanted! exclaimed Margot.
gpt
No peace!
human
It was not so at Breda, said Toussaint, smiling.
gpt
I was just speaking of sacrifice, you know: and this is not the last night that the moon will shine.--News, Monsieur Pascal?
human
News from Cap, replied Monsieur Pascal, in a depressed tone.
gpt
Bad news! Here are dispatches. Not a moment is to be lost.
human
There is light enough,