The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1855-08-16
CHAP. XXI.
Tomorrow.

The same chamber in the upper story of the
house in the Rue Blanche, with Martin still
lying in the bed he occupied when Mark and
Gaetano saw him, and Lisette sitting by. Paul,
too, is there, looking pale, anxious, worn, like
the poor girl. They speak to each other, now
and then, in low whispers, and, at the slightest
movement of the gaunt figure stretched in the
bed, are instantly on the alert, equally prompi
to attend to his'least wants. 1t is easy to per-
ceive that they are on terms of closer intimacy
than when they parted some time age, In this
very same chamber, each "to consider" of the
future; and even than they were on that dread
full night, some two months or more since, when
the great stroke of good fortune befel Martin
which realized his long-protracted hopes and
his day-dreams of many years, but which shat
tered his reason, and left it a melancholy wreck
Ever since he has lain there-remaining fol-
days, sometimes, in state of complete mental
darkness; then rallying to consciousness o.
what has passed, and where he is, and what; to
feel, to the fullest, the extent of his love for his
dear Lisette. Her alone he recognises in his
darker moments addresses her sometimes /; al
ways fondles.
She has long since ascertained that of his
ultimate recovery there is no hope, and has
resigned herself to the coming day when he
must die. Medical skill has done its utmost
for him; it can avail him nothing more. The
vital power, undermined by the potent stimu
liant he has so long INDUCED in, is unequal tc
the effort of shaking off the paralysis it has in
duced, and the effects of the shock produced by
excess Of Joy. So, having learnt the worst, she
has gone to the Great Book, read consolation
and comfort in its pages of bright promise, and
has said in her heart, "Fatherl Thy will be
DONE"
She has considered, too, of the future, as she
promised Paul she would do. She knows how
Paul loves her; that he is honest, industrious
generous-all that she could wish him to be-
save in one particular. But, to do the rest, she
has an unbounded faith in her own love fo1
him, as well as in his deep affection for her
though she has resolutely refused to link heI
fate with his, till he has considered of some
thing she has requested him to do. Some
days-even week or two-have elapsed since
they brought her father home; and, absorbed
by the weight Of her new grief, and of her new
but grateful duties, she has not thought to ask
Paul if he has considered" though she sees
him every day. At length, he comes one morn
ing, and, on seeing her, casts himself upon heI
neck, and weeps. And then, in answer to hel
earnest, anxious inquiries, he makes a full con
fession of all that has occurred within the last
few hours how, that having taken dreadful
oath, he had almost become an assassin, but
had been saved from crime by the hand of that
Providence in whom his Lisette has so abiding
faith.
"But have repented, have repented, Ii
sette," he sobs; eyes, and | have prayed. God
has heard me, know, for feel happier, and
have come to cast myself at your feet, to i'm
plore your pardon for my wilfulness and foI
all the pain have occasioned you, and to tel
you, Lisette, that am freed from my oath, and
though still republican, am no longer a revo
lutionist."
And she pardons him freely, with grateful
heart, encouraging him to persevere in his
efforts to strengthen the new spirit that he
feels has arisen in him; so he leaves her quite
happy, because he sees, knows, feels, that she
loves him, and that some day he may hope to
call her his.
1t comes, sooner than either of them expect
1t comes in sudden, solemn manner. Lying
there, staring vacantly at those about him,
Martin has come to have an idea wherefore
Paul is so constant visiter. Listening, too,
with closed eyes, not unfrequently he has over
heard their confidential interchanges of thought
and learnt that Lisette loves to see him there.
He has an instructive perception, too, wherefore
they avoid the subject of marriage, although he
perceives their warnings. He watches them yet
more narrowly now; listens more sharply; ar
rives at shrewd conclusions, and ponders over all
he has seen, learnt, and understands. A thought
flashes upon him one day, when Paul is there,
and when, believing him asleep, they have spo-
ken long and earnestly of their strong love,
of their faith in each other, Of their hopes, OF
their fears, and OIL how touchingly, of their
affection for him. He bursts into tears, and
calls them both nearer to him.
"My children my children Bless you
both," is all he is able to say as he takes their
hands, and joins them together.
The young people gaze at him and at each
other in mute establishment.
~ know, / know!" he adds, presently. 81
have seen / have heard | know. Do not
wait till am dead, children. shall die hap
pier to know thee happy, Lisette and thou art
rich, girl, now, and need not to work. Rich !
/ knew it would come, though they did call me
mad Martin, old dotard, and say played like
an idiot. / knew better, and broke their bank
by my system. all for thee, my child"
Lisette knows The SUBJECTS dangerous one,
and therefore ses ks to divert him from it, by
bringing his min' back to themselves.
"Paul loves my, papa, and he knows l love
him but we can wait till thou art better" she
says, (which, fo. thy sake, we pray may be
soon. Then we VIII all go away together -
He interrupts 'er by shaking his head, and
says, solemnly-
II shall never De better, love. Do not de-
ceive thyself. Peal, thou must take her from
me. 1t is, perhaps, my last request. You
must obey me, children. You are rich-rich-
rich and above the world, all through my sys-
tenn, which they said was folly"
He cannot be diverted from dwelling on this
topic, notwithstanding the affectionate articles
of the young people. The idea is fixed in his
mind that they are rich, and his resolution that
they must be married remains mistaken.
But Paul and Lisette do not feel that they
ought to obey his injunction; for though It
with their own sentiments and
fondest wishes, they perceive certain impro-
priety in their nnion under such peculiar cir
and are disposed to consider his
wish as the result of a sudden impulse of feel
ing, and that he will forget it. Not so. how.
ever. The next day he renews his request with
even greater force of authority, and insists
upon their naming day. So firm is he, SO
pertinacious, and SO excited does he become,
that they grow alarmed, and promise to do as
he bids. Whilst they are discussing the point,
the physician is announced, who at once per-
ceives the danger of contradicting the patient.
he has made himself the friend of the young
folks long ago, SO he speaks to them quite free
"
Is there any impeachment to your union, my
dears 2" he asks.
They look at each other, then at him, then
cast their eyes to the ground, but answer not.
"Ohl see, see" observes the physician.