The northern galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1844-1848, 1844-07-10
From Grdham's Magazine.
Poor Glen@vigv@o
BIZ JAMES X. PAULDIyG, AUTHOR OF 1.-THE
DUrCHMAN's FIREsIDE," ETC.
COScl,Jded

There was something exquisitely touch
ing in her voice, her look, and the dewy Ius-
tire of her eyes, as she pronounced these
words, which entered the very soul of Hart
land.
"Genevieve," said he, "sit down by me
and hear what am going to say. Nay, 1
insist upon your being seated, for you have
much to hear, and it does not become one
who owes his life to you to be seated while
you are standing"
alt does not become one like me to be
seated in presence of one like you," replied
Genevieve in a low and thrilling voice ofdeep
humiIity,as Hartland with respectful violence
compelled her to place herself by his side on
the sofa.
"Genevieve," said he, "you have saved my
life; is there any wish i'll your heart ungrat-
flied, anything within the power of man to do
that will contribute to your happiness, or that
of any one dear to you? If there is, | here
pledge the soul which was bestowed on me
by my Maker, and the life which you have
preserved, to do what man can do to repay,
as far as possible obligations that can never
be cancelled. Tell me, Genevieve-dear
Genevieve for you are very dear to me
tell me in what way | can prove to you that
am not ungrateful. Do not leave me with
load of obligation onmy heart that willweigh
me down TO the earth with a sense of absolute
degradation. My life will be comparatively
worthless, unless you permit me TO consecrate
it to your happiness"
"To my happiness ~ reiterated the trem-
bling girl. MY happiness does not depend
on wealth or benefits. | can accept nothing
from you except-except your kind remem-
brance. am already paid my wages, and
my object was simply what | said. | came
to bid farewell, and wish you health and hap
piness."
She was rising to go, but HarIand detain-
ed her.
"Genevieve, you do not, OF will not COM
prehend me. | love you, sincerely, tenderly,
faithfully
"And you prove it by thus insulting me-"
Insulting you, Genevievs. Do you take
me for such a wretch Is such a declaration
insultingl'
From one like you to one like me, it is
more than insulting-it is degrading TO one,
dishonorable TO the other. But it is time
should go, if | wish to preserve, as a source
of future qualification, the remembrance of
having humbly administered to the wants Of
one who has repaid by wishing to degrade
me.''
Again she made an effort to leave, but
liartland detained her.
In the nar:e oflIeaven what do you mean,
Genevieve what do you suspect, that you
thus reproach me with insulting and degrad-
Ing you'll Do you think me such brute and
villain as TO do one orthe otherI Is the prof
fer of a sincere and ardent love from an hon
est man 10 a virtuous woman, insult and deg
radiation Is the devotion of true heart, that
| would tear from my bosom if | thought it
capable of dcceiving or betraying one who
has filled it to OVERLOOKING with love and graf
itude, insult and degradation ~
Those alone who have seen Hartland in
the halls OF legislation moving down hearts
with his irresistible eloquence, can judge of
the effect of his words on Genevieve.
Tell me-tell me, Genevieve," added he
"what YOU think and of what you fear"
Are YOU not the great orator, statesman,
author! Is not your name on every tongue,
your words in every mouth ; Do you not
stand high among the highest of your coun-
try, and may you not aspire to be still high
er! and am not mental without wealth,
name, or family to render me worthy OF
sharing your honorsl No, sir-I understand
YOU but too well. You woud-you would
she burst into tears, land could proceed no fur
Their.
"Iwould make you my wife," cried Hart
IdUu, WIFI d lOuC duu CAIICSSlOu COulu
not be mistaken. MY dear, dear wife, to
live with me and be my love forever
What, poor Genevievei" almost Shrek
ed she. "Me-your nurse-your servant
your
"Preserver I" interrupted Hartland. Eyes,
1 would ensure the happiness of my future
life, by sharing it with one who, in the hum
BILE garb and humble occupation, has proved
to me that neither grace nor dignity, virtue
nor refinement, is confined to any situation OF
life; or dependent on wealth and splendor.
Will you be mine forever ~
care you really in earnest!'' faltered she,
with tears and trembling. "What poor Gene
vievei''
"Poor Geneveve ARE you not rich in viz
tue,grace and beauty; and is not such heart
and mind as yours worth all the wide lands
and rich mines of your mistress, whom | am
yet to see and thank for her kindness! Yes
Poor Genevieve,' | am in earnest-serious
and solemn as man can be at the moment
when the happiness of his life hangs on the
decision of moment"
Genevieve wept as she reclined on his shout
der for few moments, then started away be-
fore he was aware of her intention, and, turn q.
ing toward him as she retreated through the
door face full ofinexpressible tenderness ex-
claimed
"You shall see me again, and receive my
answer"
Hartland did not know exactly what to
make of all this. But he had felt the heart
of Genevieve throb against his side, and seen
her parting look. Neither could be mistak-
en-, and he remained in the happy anticipa-
ton that all would end as he wished. From
this, in the lapse ofsome hour or two, he was
reused by the entrance of Genevieve in her
bonnet and cloak, who delivered message
from Mademoiselle de F., purporting that
she desired to see hm,if he feltstrong enough
TO leave his room.
Hartland sought to detain her a moment,
Tor the answer she had promised. But she
only replied with look and accent he could
not comprehend.
You will receive it soon from my mis-
tress.''
"Pshaw.." exclaimed he in a pet; "what
care for your mistress1 ~
Nfun