human
How was it then that you pleased my father so much when Hedouville went away? He whispered to me, in the piazza at Pongaudin, that, next to himself, you saved the town--that many whites owed their lives and their fortunes to you.
gpt
I repent, cried Moyse, bitterly,
human
I repent of my deeds of that day. I repent that any white ever owed me gratitude. I thank God, I have shaken them off, like the dust from my feet! Thank God, the whites are all cursing me now!
gpt
What do you mean? How was it all?
human
When Hedouville went away, my first desire was to distinguish myself, that I might gain you, as your father promised. This prospect, so near and so bright, dazzled me so that I could not see black faces from white. For the hour, one passion put the other out.
gpt
And when--how soon did you begin to forget me?
human
I have never forgotten you, love--not for an hour, in the church among the priests--in the square among the soldiers, any more than here as a prisoner. But I thought my point was gained when your father stooped from his horse, as he rode away, and told me there would be joy at home on hearing of my charge. I doubted no more that all was safe. Then I heard of the insufferable insolence of some of the whites out at Limbe-- acting as if Hedouville was still here to countenance them. I saw exultation on account of this in all the white faces I met in Cap. The poor old wretch Revel, when my officers and I met his carriage, stared at me through his spectacles, and laughed in my face as if--
gpt
Was his grandchild with him? She was? Then he was laughing at some of her prattle. Nothing else made him even smile.
human
It looked as if he was ridiculing me and my function. I was growing more angry every hour, when tidings came of the rising out at Limbe. I knew it was forced on by the whites. I knew the mischief was begun by Hedouville, and kept up by his countrymen; and was it to be expected that I should draw the sword for them against our own people? Could I have done so, Genifrede?
gpt
Would not my father have restored peace without drawing the sword at all?
human
That was what I did. I went out to meet the insurgents; and the moment they saw that the whites were not to have their own way, they returned to quietness, and to their homes. Not another blow was struck.
gpt
And the murderers--what did you do with them?
human
Those may deal with them who desire to live side-by-side with whites. As for me, I quarrel with none who avenge our centuries of wrong.
gpt
Would to God my father had known that this was in your heart! You would not then have been a wretched prisoner here. Moyse, the moment you are free, let us fly to the mornes. I told you how it would be, if we parted. You will do as I wish henceforward; you will take me to the Mornes?
human
My love, where and how should we live there? In a cave of the rocks, or roosting in trees?
gpt
People do live there--not now, perhaps, under my father's government: but in the old days, runaways did live there.
human
So you would institute a new race of banditti, under your father's reign. How well it will sound in the First Consul's council-chamber, that the eldest daughter of the ambitious Commander-in-Chief is the first bandit's wife in the mornes!
gpt
Let them say what they will: we must have peace, Moyse. We have been wretched too long. Oh, if we could once be up there, hidden among the rocks, or sitting among the ferns in the highest of those valleys, with the very clouds between us and this weary world below--never to see a white face more! Then, at last, we could be at peace. Everywhere else we are beset with this enemy. They are in the streets, in the churches, on the plain. We meet them in the shade of the woods, and have to pass them basking on the sea-shore. There is no peace but high up in the mornes--too high for the wild beast, and the reptile, and the white man.
human
The white man mounts as high as the eagle's nest, Genifrede. You will not be safe, even there, from the traveller or the philosopher, climbing to measure the mountain or observe the stars.--But while we are talking of the free and breezy heights--
gpt
You are a prisoner, said Genifrede, mournfully.
human
But soon, very soon, we can go. Why do you look so? You said there was no fear--that nothing serious could happen--nothing more than disgrace; and, for each other's sake, we can defy disgrace. Can we not, Moyse? Why do not you speak?
gpt
Disgrace, or death, or anything. Even death, Genifrede. Yes--I said what was not true. They will not let me out but to my death. Do not shudder so, my love: they shall not part us. They shall not rob me of everything. You did well to come, love. If they had detained you, and I had had to die with such a last thought as that you remained to be comforted, sooner or later, by another--to be made to forget me by a more prosperous lover--O God! I should have been mad!
human
You are mad, Moyse, cried Genifrede, shrinking from him in terror.
gpt
I do not believe a word you say. I love another!--they kill you! It is all false! I will not hear another word--I will go.
human
I am speaking the truth now. I shall be tried to-night before a court-martial, which will embody your father's opinion and will. They will find me a traitor, and doom me to death upon the Place. I must die--but not on the Place--and you shall die with me. In one moment, we shall be beyond their power. You hear me, Genifrede? I know you hear me, though you do not speak. I can direct you to one, near at hand, who prepares the red water, and knows me well. I will give you an order for red water enough for us both. You will come--your father will not refuse our joint request--you will come to me as soon as the trial is over; and then, love, we will never be parted more.