Leah Mordecai, page 49 by Belle Kendrick Abbott
<< Return to Title Details & Download50
p>"Can it be Emile Le Grande?" said Lizzie, after a moment's reflection, with a look of astonishment.
"Yes," faltered Leah, "he is the one that tells me he loves me."
"And do you love him, Leah?" said Lizzie, with some hesitation. The curtain that continued fluttering with renewed force was wafted full into the face of the young Jewess, and veiled the crimson blushes that overspread it. As gently as it came, the curtain floated back, and Lizzie detected the traces of Leah's sudden emotion. Without waiting for further inquiry, Leah continued:
"I determined I would tell you all, Lizzie, before we parted, and ask your advice. Yes, I think I do love Emile--love him, because he says he loves me. Last night he urged me again to become his wife. I trembled like a frightened bird; I felt that I was listening to dangerous words, yet I had not courage to break away from him."
"Did he say anything else--I mean about your being a Jewess?"
"Oh, yes; much. He said he cared nothing about that difference, if I did not; but I told him I did. I assured him that I had been reared a Hebrew of the straightest sect, and that my father would never consent to my marrying a Christian. At my remarks he laughed, and replied that he would take care of the opposition, if I would only marry him. He urged and pleaded with me to promise him, but I steadfastly refused. He is very fascinating though, and I think a dangerous man to come in the way of a poor, irresolute, unhappy girl like myself."
"Did he say much about the difference in religion, Leah?"
"He said something, not a great deal; said he was not religious himself; that one faith was about as useful to him as another, as he did not know positively which was the true one. He said he would as soon marry a Jewess as a Christian, so he loved her, and the religion might take care of itself."
"Did you ask if his parents knew of his love for you?"
"Yes. He replied that Helen knew of it, but he had not troubled himself to tell his pa