human
Therese, said he,
gpt
I am dying. I feel that I am dying. Oh! what must I do?
human
We must wait upon God's pleasure. Let us wait in quiet. Is there anything that can give you quiet of mind or body?
gpt
We are all familiar with the end of our lives, almost from their beginning, said Therese.
human
There is nothing strange or surprising in it. The great thing is to throw off any burden--any anxiety--and then to be still. An easy mind is the great thing, whether recovery is at hand, or--
gpt
Do not talk of recovery. I shall not recover.
human
Can I do anything--listen to anything--so as to give you case? Shall I call father Gabriel? You may find comfort in speaking to him.
gpt
I want to speak to you first. I have not half done the business I came for: I have not half secured my estates for my daughters.
human
I believe you have. I know that L'Ouverture fully intends--
gpt
What does it matter what L'Ouverture intends? I mean no contempt to him by saying so. He intends very well, I dare say; but in the scramble and confusion that are at hand, what chance will my poor orphan girls have for their rights?
human
Fear nothing for them. If there is to be a struggle, there is no doubt whatever as to how it will end. The French army will be expelled--
gpt
You do not say so! You cannot think so!
human
I am certain of it. But the white proprietors will be as safe in person and property, as welcome to L'Ouverture, as during the years of his full authority. You were not here to see it; but the white proprietors were very happy, perfectly satisfied, during those years (at least, all of them who were reasonable men). I can undertake for L'Ouverture that your daughters' income from their estates shall be sent to them at Paris, if you desire them to stay there; or the estates shall be sold for their benefit; or, if you will trust them to my care--
gpt
No, no! Impossible!
human
I am the wife of a general, and second to no woman in the island, said Therese, calmly.
gpt
I have power to protect your daughters; and, in an hour like this, you cannot doubt my sincerity when I say that I have the will.
human
It cannot be, Therese. I do not doubt you--neither your word nor your will. But it is impossible, utterly.
gpt
Is there strength, even in the hour of death, to trample on the dark race? Oh! better far to trample on the prejudices of race! Will you not do this?
human
You talk absurdly, Therese. Do not trouble me with nonsense now. You will undertake, you say, that Toussaint shall secure to my daughters the estates I have left to them by will. That is, in case of the blacks getting the upper hand. If they are put down, my will secures everything. Happily, my will is in safe hands. Speak, Therese. You engage for what I have just said?
gpt
As far as warranted by my knowledge of L'Ouverture and his intentions, I do. If, through his death or adversity, this resource should fail, your daughters shall not suffer while my husband and I have property.
human
Your husband! property! It is strange, muttered Papalier.
gpt
I believe you, however, I trust you, Therese; and I thank you, love.
human
Have you more to ask of me? Is there any other service I can render you?
gpt
No, no. You have done too much for me--too much, considering the new order of affairs.
human
I have something to ask of you. I require an answer to one question.
gpt
You require!
human
I do. By the right of an outraged mother, I require to know who destroyed my child.
gpt
Say nothing of that, Therese. You should know better than to bring such subjects before a dying man.
human
Such subjects lie before the dead. Better to meet them prepared-- atoned for, in as far as atonement is yet possible. For your own sake, and by my own right, I require to be told who destroyed my child?
gpt
I did not, Therese.
human
You did not! Is it possible? Yet in this hour you could not deceive me. I have accused you of the deed, from that hour to this. Is it possible that I have wronged you?
gpt
I do not say that I disapproved of it--that I did not allow it. But I did not do it.
human
Then you know who did it?
gpt
Of course I do.
human
Who was it?
gpt
I swore long ago that I would not tell; and I never will. But you may lay the blame on me, my dear; for, as I told you, I permitted the deed. It was necessary. Our lives depended on it.
human
May you not find your eternal death depend on it!