human
Father! said Genifrede, appealing to Toussaint, with a grave countenance,
gpt
Surely--yes; it is Paul; said Toussaint, looking through his glass.
human
Paul is coming to say farewell.
gpt
Let me return with him, father. Let me become his child. I am unworthy to be yours. And he and I are so forlorn!
human
I have seen Moyse--I have seen him more than once in the Morne; and I cannot leave this place. Let me stay.
gpt
Stay, my child. Seek consolation in your own way. We will all pray for you; we will all console your mother for your absence. We shall not meet again on earth, Genifrede.
human
I know it, father. But the time of rest--how long it is in coming!
gpt
My child, our rest is in the soul--it lies not either in place or time. Do not look for it in the grave, unless you have it first in the soul.
human
Then would I had never been born!
gpt
How different will be your cry when you have been a daughter to Paul for a while! When you see him consoled, and reposing upon your care, you will say, `I thank God that I have lived for this!' A great duty lies before you, my dear child; and in the heart of duty lies rest--a deeper than that of the grave. Shall I give you a duty to discharge for me?
human
Oh, yes! I will take it as your blessing.
gpt
Convey to Christophe my last message. Bid him rejoice for me that my work is done. My work is now his. Bid him remember how we always agreed that freedom is safe. I bequeath the charge of it to him, with my blessing.
human
He shall know this, if he lives, before the moon rises.
gpt
If he does not live, let Dessalines hear what was my message to Christophe. He will know how much to take to himself.