Love stories; New York (N.Y.) -- History -- 1775-1865 -- Fiction
This is the kind of pleasure we have; as to religion, there is no
longer any religion. Everywhere the Almighty is spoken of as the
"soi-disant God." The monarchy is abolished, and yet so ignorant are
the leaders of the people, that when Brissot mentioned the word
Republic in Petion's house, Robespierre said with a grin, "Republic!
Republic! what's a republic?" Spying, and fear, and death penetrate
into the most private houses; above all, fear, constant fear of every
one with whom you come in contact. This feeling is so universal, that
some one has conjugated it thus--I am afraid--Thou art afraid--He is
afraid--We are afraid--You are afraid--They are afraid--For as death
has been officially declared "an endless sleep" any crime is possible;
the mob have no fear of hell, and as for the guillotine, it is their
opera and their perpetual comedy. Very soon these things must bring on
France the chastisement of the Lord; and I shall not be sorry for it.
I have told you the truth about our condition, because I have just had
a letter from my father, and he talks of leaving his business in Claus
Bergen's care, and coming here to look after me. You must convince him,
that he could do me no good whatever, and that he might do me much
harm. He is outspoken as a Zealander, and what is in his head and his
heart, would come to his lips; also, if it should come to flight, he
would embarrass me very much. Tell him not to fear; Arenta says, not to
fear. I may indeed have to take a seat in "the terrible armchair"
[Footnote: The chair in which the accused sat before the Revolutionary
Tribunal and from which they usually went to the guillotine.] but I
shall not go to the guillotine; I know that. While Minister Morris is
here I have a friend that can do all that can be done. I have had a few
letters from Rem, but they do not satisfy me. He is in love, AND NOT
WITH YOU. Will you please inform me what that means? Say to Aunt
Angelica that I am astonished at her silence; and ask our good Domine
to pray that I may soon return to a country where God reigns. Never
again do I wish to spend one minute in a place where there is no God;
for whatever they may call that place, its real name is hell. Write me
a long letter and tell me all the news of New York, and with my
respectful remembrance to your dear father and mother, I am always your
loving friend, ARENTA, MARQUISE DE TOUNNERRE.
"Poor Arenta!" said the Doctor when Cornelia had finished the wretched
epistle. "She is however showing the mettle of the race from which she
sprang. The spirit of the men who fought Alva is in her, and I think
she will be a match for Marat, if it comes to that. Suppose you go and
see Van Ariens, and give him all the comfort you can. Are you too
weary?"
"I should like to see him, I am not tired now. Home is such a good
doctor."
"I think you will find him in his house. He comes from his office very
early these days."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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