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I know your nature promptsDO you； CAN you love me？〃
Of course such a direct question； put in a very categorical way； caused
the questioned to blush； if it did not induce her to smile。 The first she did
in a very pretty and engaging manner； though I thought she hesitated
about indulging in the last。
〃Why should I say 'yes；' when it can lead to no good result？〃
〃Then destroy all hope at once； and say NO。〃
〃That would be to give youto give us both unnecessary pain。 Besides；
it might not be strictly trueI COULD loveOh！ No one can tell how
my heart COULD love where it was right and proper。〃
After this； I suppose it is unnecessary for me to say； that Betts soon
brought the category of possibilities into one of certainty。 To own the
truth； he carried every thing by his impetuosity； reducing the governess
to own that what she admitted she COULD do so well； she had already
done in a very complete and thorough manner。 I enjoyed this scene
excessively； nor was it over in a minute。 Mademoiselle Hennequin used
me several times to wipe away tears； and it is strong proof how much
both parties were thinking of other matters； that neither discovered who
was present at so interesting a tete…a…tete。
At length came the denouement。 After confessing how much she loved
Betts； how happy she would be could she be his slave all the days of
her life； how miserable she was in knowing that he had placed his
affections on HER； and how much more miserable she should be； had
she learned he had NOT； Mademoiselle Hennequin almost annihilated
the young man by declaring that it was utterly impossible for her to
consent to become his wife。 The reason was the difference in fortune；
and the impossibility that she should take advantage of his passion to
lead him into a connection that he might afterwards regret。 Against this
decision； Betts reasoned warmly； but seriously； in vain。 Had
Mademoiselle Hennequin been an American； instead of a French； girl；
her feelings would not have been so sensitive on this point； for； in this
great republic； every body but the fortune…hunters； an exceedingly
contemptible class； considers a match without money； quite as much a
matter of course； as a match with。 But； the governess had been
educated under a different system； and it struck her imagination as very
proper； that she should make both herself and her lover miserable；
because he had two hundred thousand dollars； and she had not as many
hundreds。 All this strangely conflicted with Betts' preconceived opinion
of a French woman's selfishness； and； while he was disposed to believe
his adored perfection； he almost feared it was a trick。 Of such
contradictory materials is the human mind composed！
At length the eyes of Betts fell on me； who was still in the hand of
Mademoiselle Hennequin； and had several times been applied to her
eyes unheeded。 It was evident I revived unpleasant recollections； and
the young man could not avoid letting an expression escape him； that
sufficiently betrayed his feelings。
〃This handkerchief！〃 exclaimed the young governess〃Ah！ it is that of
Mademoiselle Julie； which I must have taken by mistake。 But； why
should this handkerchief awaken any feeling in you； monsieur？ You are
not about to enact the Moor； in your days of wooing？〃
｛the Moor = from Shakespeare's 〃Othello〃｝
This was said sweetly； and withal a little archly； for the poor girl was
glad to turn the conversation from its harassing and painful points； but
Betts was in no humor for pleasantry； and he spoke out in a way to give
his mistress some clue to his thoughts。
〃That cursed handkerchief〃it is really indecent in young men to use
such improper language； but they little heed what they say when strongly
excited〃that cursed handkerchief has given me as much pain； as it
appears also to have given you。 I wish I knew the real secret of its
connection with your feelings； for I confess； like that of Desdemona's； it
has excited distrust； though for a very different cause。
The cheeks of Mademoiselle Hennequin were pale； and her brow
thoughtful。 Still； she had a sweet smile for Betts； and； though ignorant of
the nature of his suspicions； which she would have scarcely pardoned； it
was her strongest wish to leave no darker cloud between them； than the
one she felt it her duty to place there herself。 She answered； therefore；
frankly and simply； though not without betraying strong emotion as she
proceeded。
〃This handkerchief is well known to me；〃 answered the young French
woman； 〃it revives the recollections of some of the most painful scenes
of a life that has never seen much sunshine。 You have heard me speak
of a grandmother； Mr。 Shoreham； who took care of my childhood； and
who died in my arms。 That handkerchief； I worked for her support in
her last illness； and this laceyes； this beautiful lace was a part of that
beloved grandmother's bridal trousseau。 I put it where you see it； to
enhance the value of my labors。〃
〃I see it all！〃 exclaimed the repentant Betts〃FEEL it all； dearest；
dearest Mademoiselle Hennequin； and I hope this exquisite work； this
refined taste brought all the comfort and reward you had a right to
anticipate。
A shade of anguish crossed the face of Adriennefor it was no other
as she gazed at me； and recalled all the scenes of her sufferings and
distress。 Then I knew her again； for time and a poor memory； with
some development of person； had caused me to forget the appearance
of the lovely creature who may be said to have made me what I am； but
one glance at her； with that expression of intense suffering on her
countenance； renewed all my earlier impressions。
〃I received as much as I merited； perhaps；〃 returned the meek…minded
girlfor she was proud only in insisting on what she fancied right〃and
enough to give my venerated parent Christian burial。 They were days of
want and sorrow that succeeded； during which； Betts； I toiled for bread
like an Eastern slave； the trodden…on and abused hireling of a selfish
milliner。 Accident at length placed me in a family as a governess。 This
family happened to be acquainted with Madame Monson； and an offer
that was brilliant to me； in my circumstances； brought me to America。
You see by all this how unfit I am to be your wife； monsieur。 You would
blush to have it said you had married a French milliner！〃
〃But you are not a milliner； in that sense； dearest Adriennefor you
must suffer me to call you by that nameyou are a lady reduced by
revolutions and misfortunes。 The name of Hennequin I know is
respectable； and what care I for money； when so much worth is to be
found on your side of the scale。 Money would only oppress me； under
such circumstances。〃
〃Your generosity almost overcomes my scruples； but it may not be。 The
name to which I am entitled is certainly not one to be ashamed ofit is
far more illustrious than that of Hennequin； respectable as is the last； but
of what account is a NAME to one in my condition！〃
〃And your family name is not Hennequin？〃 asked the lover； anxiously。
〃It is not。 My poor grandmother assumed the name of Hennequin； when
we went last to Paris； under an apprehension that the guillotine might
fol