Mr. Dusautoy told me, my dear; poor Mr. Hope's distress betrayed him,
and Mr. Dusautoy was anxious I should--'
Genevieve did not let her finish, but exclaiming, 'I did not expect
this from you, madame,' gave way to a shower of tears.
'My dear child, do we not all feel you the more one with ourselves
for this reluctance?' said Albinia, caressing her fondly. 'It shall
not be forced upon you any more till you can bear it.'
'Till!' exclaimed Genevieve, alarmed. 'Oh! do not say that! Do not
hold out false hopes! I never shall!'
'I do not think you are a fair judge as yet, my dear.'
'I think I am,' said Genevieve, slowly, 'I must not let you love me
on false pretences, dearest Mrs. Kendal. I do not think it is all
for--for his sake--but indeed, though I must esteem Mr. Hope, I do
not believe I could ever feel for him as--' then breaking off. 'I
pray you, with all my heart, dearest friend, never to speak to me of
marriage. I am the little governess, and while Heaven gives me
strength to work for my aunt, and you let me call this my home, I am
content, I am blessed. Oh! do not disturb and unsettle me!'
So imploringly did she speak, that she obliterated all thought of the
prudent arguments with which Albinia had come stored. It was no time
for them; there was no possibility of endeavouring to dethrone the
memory of her own Gilbert, and her impulse was far more to agree that
no one else could ever be loved, than to argue in favour of a new
attachment.
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