for you, my dearmother; and you shall never feel any wants with us.' But of the wholesociety, the person who displayed the least transport, and who probablyfelt the most, was Virginia; and, during the remainder of the day, thatgentle gaiety which flowed from her heart, and proved that her peace wasrestored, completed the general satisfaction.
"The next day, at sunrise, while they were offering up, as usual, theirmorning sacrifice of praise, which preceded their breakfast, Domingoinformed them that a gentleman on horseback, followed by two slaves, wascoming towards the plantation. This person was Monsieur de la Bourdonnais.He entered the cottage where he found the family at breakfast. Virginia hadprepared, according to the custom of the country, coffee and rice boiled inwater: to which she added hot yams and fresh cocoas. The leaves of theplantain tree supplied the want of table-linen; and calbassia shells, splitin two, served for utensils. The governor expressed some surprise at thehomeliness of the dwelling: then, addressing himself to Madame de la Tour,he observed, that although public affairs drew his attention too much fromthe concerns of individuals, she had many claims to his good offices. 'Youhave an aunt at Paris, Madam,' he added, 'a woman of quality, and immenselyrich, who expects that you will hasten to see her, and who means to bestowupon you her whole fortune.' Madame de la Tour replied, that the state ofher health would not permit her to undertake so long a voyage. 'At least,'resumed Monsieur de la Bourdonnais, 'you cannot, without injustice, deprivethis amiable young lady, your daughter, of so noble an inheritance. I willnot conceal from you that your aunt has made use of her influence to obligeyou to return; and that I have received official letters, in which I amordered to exert my authority, if necessary, to that effect. But, as I onlywish to employ my power for the purpose of rendering the inhabitants ofthis colony happy, I expect from your good sense the voluntary sacrifice ofa few years, upon which depend your daughter's establishment in the world,and the welfare of your whole life. Wherefore do we come to these islands?Is it not to acquire a fortune? And will it not be more agreeable to returnand find it in your own country?'
"He then placed a great bag of piastres, which had been brought hither byone of his slaves, upon the table. 'This,' added he, 'is allotted by youraunt for the preparations necessary for the young lady's voyage.' Gentlyreproaching Madame de la Tour for not having had recourse to him in herdifficulties, he extolled at the same time her noble fortitude. Upon this,Paul said to the governor, 'My mother did, address herself to you, Sir, andyou received her ill.'--'Have you another child, Madam? said Monsieur de laBourdonnais to Madame de la Tour.--'No, Sir,' she replied: 'this is thechild of my friend; but he and Virginia are equally dear to us.' 'Youngman,' said the governor to Paul, 'when you have acquired a little moreexperience of the world, you will know that it is the misfortune of peoplein place to be deceived and thence to bestow upon intriguing vice thatwhich belongs to modest merit.'
"Monsieur de la Bourdonnais, at the request of Madame de la Tour, placedhimself next her at the table, and breakfasted in the manner of theCreoles, upon coffee mixed with rice boiled in water. He was delighted withthe order and neatness which prevailed in the little cottage, the harmonyof the two interesting families, and the zeal of their old servants.'Here,' exclaimed he, 'I discern only wooden furniture, but I find serenecontenances, and hearts of gold.' Paul, enchanted with the affability ofthe governor, said to him, 'I wish to be your friend; you are a good man.'Monsieur de la Bourdonnais received with pleasure this insular compliment,and, taking Paul by the hand, assured him that he might rely upon hisfriendship.
"After breakfast, he took Madame de la Tour aside, and informed her that anopportunity presented itself of sending her daughter to France in a shipwhich was going to sail in a short time; that he would recommend her to alady a relation of his own, who would be a passenger; and that she must notthink of renouncing an immense fortune on account of bring separated fromher daughter a few years. 'Your aunt,'he added, 'cannot live more than twoyears; of this I am assured by her friends. Think of it seriously. Fortunedoes not visit us every day. Consult your friends. Every person of goodsense will be of my opinion.' She answered, 'that, desiring no otherhappiness henceforth in the world than that of her daughter, she wouldleave her departure for France entirely to her own inclination.
"Madame de la Tour was not sorry to find an opportunity of separating Pauland Virginia for a short time, and provide, by this means, for their mutualfelicity at a future period. She took her daughter aside, and said to her,'My dear child, our servants are now old. Paul is still very young;Margaret is advanced in years, and I am already infirm. If I should die,what will become of you, without fortune, in the midst of these deserts?You will then be left alone without any person who can afford you muchsuccour, and forced to labour without ceasing, in order to support yourwretched existence. This idea fills my soul with sorrow.' Virginiaanswered, 'God has appointed us to labour. You have taught me to labour,and to bless him every day. He never has forsaken us, he never will forsakeus. His providence peculiarly watches the unfortunate. You have told methis often my dear mother! I cannot resolve to leave you.' Madame de laTour replied, with much emotion, 'I have no other aim than to render youhappy, and to marry you one day to Paul, who is not your brother. Reflectat present that his fortune depends upon you.'
"A young girl who loves believes that all the world is ignorant of herpassion; she throws over her eyes the veil which she has thrown over herheart; but when it is lifted up by some cherishing hand, the secretinquietudes of passion suddenly burst their bounds, and the soothingoverflowings of confidence succeed that reserve and mystery with which theoppressed heart had enveloped its feelings. Virginia, deeply affected bythis new proof of her mother's tenderness, related to her how cruel hadbeen those struggles which Heaven alone had witnessed; declared that shesaw the succour of Providence in that of an affectionate mother, whoapproved of her attachment, and would guide her by her counsels; that,being now strengthened by such support, every consideration led her toremain with her mother, without anxiety for the present, and withoutapprehensions for the future.
"Madame de la Tour, perceiving that this confidential conversation hadproduced an effect altogether different from that which she expected, said,'My dear child, I will not any more constrain your inclination: deliberateat leisure, but conceal your feelings from Paul.'
"Towards evening, when Madame de la Tour and Virginia were again together,their confessor, who was a missionary in the island, entered the room,having been sent by the governor. 'My children,' he exclaimed, as heentered, 'God be praised!' you are now rich. You can now listen to the kindsuggestion of your excellent hearts, and do good to the poor. I know whatMonsieur de la Bourdonnais has said to you, and what you have answered.Your health, dear Madam, obliges you to remain here: but you, young lady,are without excuse. We must obey the will of Providence; and we must alsoobey our aged relations, even when they are unjust. A sacrifice is requiredof you; but it is the order of God. He devoted himself for you: and you, inimitation of his example, must devote yourself for the welfare of yourfamily. Your voyage to France will have a happy termination. You willsurely consent to go, my dear young lady.'
"Virginia, with downcast eyes, answered, trembling, 'If it be the commandof God, I will not presume to oppose it. Let the will of God be done!' saidshe, weeping.
"The priest went away, and informed the governor of the success of hismission. In the meantime Madame de la Tour sent Domingo to desire I wouldcome hither, that she might consult me upon Virginia's departure. I was ofopinion that she ought not to go. I consider it as a fixed principle ofhappiness, that we ought to prefer the advantages of nature to those offortune; and never go in search of that at a distance, which we may find inour own bosoms. But what could be expected from my moderate counsels,opposed to the illusions of a splendid fortune; and my simple reasoning,contradicted by the prejudices of the world, and an authority which Madamede la Tour held sacred? This lady had only consulted me from a sentiment ofrespect, and had, in reality, ceased to delib
erate since she had heard thedecision of her confessor. Margaret herself, who, notwithstanding theadvantages she hoped for her son, from the possession of Virginia'sfortune, had hitherto opposed her departure, made no further objections. Asfor Paul, ignorant of what was decided, and alarmed at the secretconversation which Madame de la Tour held with her daughter, he abandonedhimself to deep melancholy. 'They are plotting something against my peace,'cried he, 'since they are so careful of concealment.'
"A report having in the meantime been spread over the island, that fortunehad visited those rocks, we beheld merchants of all kinds climbing theirsteep ascent, and displaying in those humble
Paul and Virginia from the French of J.B.H. de Saint Pierre Page 11
