Belle-Rose — page 307: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

296 A NEST IN A CONVENT belonged to the best Italian painters, among them being a Nativity, by Corregio, a St. Claire, of Andre del Sarto, a Virgin with the Child, of Guido; the holy-water basin and the angel were the work of Germain Pilou. In this ora- tory, religion made itself sweet and attractive. Genevieve could not avoid a keen emotion on seeing Belle-Rose. A tear hovered between her eyelashes. ‘“T thought myself strong,’’ she said to him, ‘‘and see how your presence stirs my heart. Itisa proof no doubt that God has wished to try me; he has aided me, he will aid — me.’ Belle-Rose’s heart gave a bound; he turned aside his eyes and looked through the window at the fields and the hori i- | zon to keep Genevieve from seeing his emotion. ‘‘And besides, Jacques, why should I not weep before you?’’ she continued ; ‘‘there are hours when tears are agreeable to God; it seems to me that suffering is more fruitful than prayer, and I have suffered so much that I begin to believe that Iam pardoned.”’ Conquered by these words, Belle-Bose took Genevieye’s hand and carried it to his heart; his eyes were filled with tears, and he no longer concealed them. **You, too!’’ said she; ‘‘then I am still dear to you. Stay, Jacques! I have consecrated all my life and all my soul to God, and yet not a day passes that I do not pray to Him for you.’’ ‘*You are my sister, Genevieve, and another life which you do not share would be little to me,’’ Belle-Rose said to her. Genevieve softly pressed his hand. ‘Your words are sweet to me,’’ said she, ‘‘but permit — me to forget myself in order to speak of you.’’ ‘Speak, Genevieve. ’ ‘‘T have talked all night with Suzanne: she has un- bosomed herself to me as to a sister, and I know what griefs have agitated you both since that evening at Ville-_ juif. It is the hand of God which has led you here. You have entered here wandering and proscribed, you will leave it free and married.” Belle-Rose trembled at these words. “Tf misfortune visits you, at least you will be two to support it; if happiness smiles on you at last, it will ap- pear more sweet to you being together,’’ added Madame de Chateaufort. ‘‘You must not quit this exile beforea priest has blessed your love. ‘T’'wo spouses can live in the shade of this abbey; can two lovers do so?”’ comicbooks.co