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The Mirror of Literature, Amusement, and Instruction - Volume 13, No. 362, March 21, 1829 by Various
page 37 of 52 (71%)
unavoidable separation.

Henri at last departed, and was ten miles from Verny before he could
comprehend how he had summoned up resolution enough to leave it.
Louise, shut up in her little room, was weeping bitterly, and felt
no inclination to go out, since she could no longer meet Henri; but,
in a short time, both of them, without feeling less regret, bethought
themselves of making the wearisome interval useful to their future
prospects.

During the first eighteen months, he travelled about from town to town;
but at last, in Lyons, made an engagement with a person who had a very
extensive business, of the name of Gerval, for the remaining period. His
master preferred cards and the bottle to work, and finding Henri honest
and attentive, was anxious to retain him in his situation. He had a
daughter, named Annette, a quick, lively, and fascinating girl, who
seemed rather disposed to coquet with Henri, and was somewhat frequently
in the workshop with him. Gerval observed, and by no means discouraged,
this, thinking that, even after all, his assistant would become neither
a bad partner for Annette nor himself; and that their intercourse, at
all events, would keep away Louis, a former workman, who had affected
a great regard for his daughter, but possessed very little inclination
to use the saw or the plane. All this attention was very delightful to
Henri, particularly as it proceeded from so interesting a creature as
his present companion. Are, then, Verny and the sorrowful Louise quite
forgotten? It must be confessed, that they almost escaped his memory,
when thus employed with Annette; but, to do him justice, in the solitude
of his chamber he experienced feelings almost akin to remorse; often in
his dreams did he behold Louise, ever tender, ever affectionate, as in
their infancy; this vision was recalled when he awoke, and he arose,
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