Volume IV Part 19 (1/2)

”I take a great interest in yourbe happy in her present uncertain position, while I am sure that she would make my Godson an excellent wife, I was determined that both of you should make his acquaintance, for Rosalie herself knows very little of him I confess that the means I employed were dishonourable, but you will pardon the means for the sake of the excellent end I had in view I hope you will have a pleasant journey, and that youti mistress I hope you rite toeverything inwhich will give you an idea of the excellent disposition of young Petri, to whose happiness Rosalie see, after I had absolutely refused to take charge of a letter he had written to Rosalie, despairing of being able to send it any other way After assuring me that Rosalie had loved him, and that consequently she could not have any fixed aversion for hi with child was the reason why she would not e till after the child was born, provided that she would agree to stay in Genoa in hiding, her presence to be unknown to all save himself He offers to pay all the expenses of her stay Heit over

”'If she gave birth to a child too soon after our e,' said he, 'both her honour andof my relations, and if Rosalie is to be ”'

At this Rosalie, who had no doubt been listening at the door after the manner of her sex, burst into the roo speech:

”If M Petri chid not tell you that it was possible that I ht honest man, but now I tell you so myself I do not think it likely, but still it is possible Tell him, sir, that I will re pregnant, of which I have no certain knowledge, or until I am quite sure that I am not with child If I do have a child the truth will beno doubt of M Petri's being the parent, I am ready to marry him; but if he sees for himself that the child is not his I hope he will be reasonable enough to letat Genoa, tell him that he need not trouble himself about either”

I was petrified I saw the consequence of my own imprudent words, and my heart seeiven with my authority, and I replied that as ht take her words for law He went away in high glee, for he foresaw that all would go ith his plans when once he was able to exert his influence on Rosalie The absent always fare ill

”You want to leave me, then, Rosalie?” said I, ere alone

”Yes, dearest, but it will not be for long”

”I think we shall never see each other again”

”Why not, dearest? You have only to remain faithful to me Listen to me

Your honour and my own make it imperative that I should convince Petri that I am not with child by him, and you that I am with child by you”

”I never doubted it, dear Rosalie”

”Yes, dear, you doubted it once and that is enough Our parting will cost s are necessary to my future happiness I hope you rite to me, and after the child is born it will be for you to decide on how I shall rejoin you If I anant I will rejoin you in a couple of rieve at your resolve I will not oppose it, for I proo into a convent; and the marquis must find you a suitable one, and protect you like a father Shall I speak to him on the subject? I will leave you as much money as you ant”

”That will not be much As for M de Grimaldi, he is bound in honour to procure me an asylum I don't think it will be necessary for you to speak to hiht, and I could not help adirl

In theI heard that the self-styled Ivanoff had made his escape an hour before the police were to arrest him at the suit of the banker, who had found out that one of the bills he had presented was forged He had escaped on foot, leaving all his baggage behind him

Next day the marquis came to tell Rosalie that his Godson had no objection toman hoped she would become his wife, whether the child proved to be his or not

”He may hope as much as he likes,” said Rosalie, with a smile

”He also hopes that you will allow him to call on you now and then I have spoken to my kinswoman, the mother-superior of convent You are to have two rooood sort of woman is to keep you company, wait on you, and nurse you when the time comes I have paid the a I will send you a confidentialrating as often as you please”

It was then my sad duty, which the laws of politeness enjoined, to thank the marquis for his trouble

”'Tis to you,her, I ao on my way as soon as she is in the convent; I hope you rite a letter to the mother-superior for her to take”