tell me in mercy, Mathieu, do you forgive me now ... for never having been what I ought to have been?" --"Talk not so, Geneviève," said the seaman quickly, and with deep feeling; "you know well that I could not have asked from God a better wife. Since you have been mine, I have wanted for nothing; it is I who should be grateful to you." --"No, no," replied the sick woman with increasing animation; "many a time have I lacked courage and patience.... Not with you alone ... but with Francine ... with Josèphe! ... poor child of my heart, who had so few years to live!... And to think, Mathieu, that I have often made her cry! ... her, who is now beneath the ground!... Ah! it is the tears of the dead that weigh heavily here.... And other persons, whom I may have injured ... and God against whom I have sinned!... Cannot I then hope for mercy?" Then, as if this idea had awakened in her a sort of terror: --"Ah! it is impossible!" added she, sitting up; "Mathieu, Mathieu, I must see a confessor!" --"But how to get him here?" said the quarter-master sorrowfully; "have you forgotten that the island is in quarantine?"Geneviève, on the verge of death, is desperate to reconcile and confess her sins. Despite the absence of a priest, she requests the seaman, Mathieu, to hear her confession. Mathieu, though overwhelmed, agrees due to the urgency of the situation. In a solemn moment, Geneviève confesses her sins, and Mathieu grants her absolution with a heartfelt prayer. This act brings peace to Geneviève, and she expresses gratitude for the absolution.

Feeling a sense of respite, Geneviève requests to see her daughter one last time before she passes. With Mathieu's help, she catches a glimpse of her daughter from a high rock, expressing her love and longing for the child. Overwhelmed with emotion, Geneviève's strength fails, and she is brought back inside. Despite her weakening state, she insists on conveying her final wishes to Mathieu.

Geneviève expresses her concern for Mathieu's well-being after her passing and asks him to consider finding a wife who can care for him and their child. Mathieu is deeply moved by her words, showing the depth of their bond and the love they share.--"What is it that you are asking me, and whom could I give her for a mother, after yourself?" rejoined Ropars.--"Some one" ... Geneviève went on ... "who would not grudge me the having been chosen first ... some honest heart that would take kindly to an orphan ... who would talk to her of me ... who would teach her to love God ... and to obey you!... If you promise me that this shall be so, Mathieu ... if you promise it on your honour ... and on your salvation, I shall fall asleep, at peace, 

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