And there is even an interest about
them that makes my feelings bound joyfully when I recur them. Can it
be aught but the fruit of natural affection? I think not; and yet I
am compelled to disown them, and even to smother with falsehood the
rancour that might find a place in Franconia's bosom. Clotilda loves
Annette with a mother's fondness; but with all her fondness for her
child she dare not love me, nor I the child."
Maxwell suggests that his not having bought the child would
certainly give him the right to control his own flesh and blood: but
he knows little of slave law, and less of its customs. He, however,
was anxious to draw from Marston full particulars of the secret that
would disclose Clotilda's history, over which the partial exposition
had thrown the charm of mystery. Several times he was on the eve of
proffering his services to relieve the burden working upon Marston's
mind; but his sympathies were enlisted toward the two unfortunate
women, for whom he was ready to render good service, to relieve them
and their children. Again, he remembered how singularly sensitive
Southerners were on matters concerning the peculiar institution,
especially when approached by persons from abroad. Perhaps it was a
plot laid by Marston to ascertain his feelings on the subject, or,
under that peculiar jealousy of Southerners who live in this manner,
he might have discovered his interview with Clotilda, and, in
forming a plan to thwart his project, adopted this singular course
for disarming apprehensions.
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