Page:The Monk, A Romance - Lewis (1796, 1st ed., Volume 1).djvu/191

 some twenty years hence; and I hope that we shall live to see them just such lads as Jacques and Robert."

Marguerite clasped her hands together passionately.

"God forbid!" said she, "God forbid! If I thought it, I would strangle them with my own hands."

She quitted the room hastily, and went up stairs.

I could not help expressing to the woodman how much I pitied him for being chained for life to a partner of such ill-humour.

"Ah, Lord! monsieur, every one has his share of grievances, and Marguerite has fallen to mine. Besides, after all, she is only cross, and not malicious: the worst is, that her affection for two children by a former husband, makes her play the step-mother with my two sons; she cannot bear the sight of them; and, by her good will, they would never set a foot within my door. But on this point I always stand firm, and never will consent to abandon the poor lads to the