Atlantida

"'My dear Count,' said Mocquard, taking a chair, 'it is very simple.

You have doubtless heard of a young explorer of promise, M. Henry

Duveyrier.' "I shook my head as a sign of negation, very much surprised at this

beginning.

"'M. Duveyrier,' continued Mocquard, 'has returned to Paris after a

particularly daring trip to South Africa and the Sahara. M. Vivien de

Saint Martin, whom I have seen recently has assured me that the

Geographical Society intends to confer its great gold medal upon him,

in recognition of these exploits. In the course of his trip, M.

Duveyrier has entered into negotiations with the chief of the people

who always have been so rebellious to His Majesty's armies, the

Tuareg.' "I looked at the Emperor. My bewilderment was such that he began to

laugh.

"'Listen,' he said.

"'M. Duveyrier,' continued Mocquard, 'was able to arrange to have a

delegation of these chiefs come to Paris to present their respects to

His Majesty. Very important results may arise from this visit, and His

Excellency the Colonial Minister, does not despair of obtaining the

signature of a treaty of commerce, reserving special advantages to our

fellow countrymen. These chiefs, five of them, among them Sheik Otham,

Amenokol or Sultan of the Confederation of Adzjer, arrive to-morrow

morning at the Gare de Lyon. M. Duveyrier will meet them. But the

Emperor has thought that besides....' "'I thought,' said Napoleon III, delighted by my bewilderment, 'I

thought that it was correct to have some one of the Gentlemen of my

Chamber wait upon the arrival of these Mussulman dignitaries. That is

why you are here, my poor Bielowsky. Don't be frightened,' he added,

laughing harder. 'You will have M. Duveyrier with you. You are charged

only with the special part of the reception: to accompany these

princes to the lunch that I am giving them to-morrow at the Tuileries;

then, in the evening, discreetly on account of their religious

scruples, to succeed in giving them a very high idea of Parisian

civilization, with nothing exaggerated: do not forget that in the

Sahara they are very high religious dignitaries. In that respect, I

have confidence in your tact and give you carte blanche....

Mocquard!' "'Sire?' "'You will apportion on the budget, half to Foreign Affairs, half to

the Colonies, the funds Count Bielowsky will need for the reception of

the Tuareg delegation. It seems to me that a hundred thousand francs,

to begin.... The Count has only to tell you if he is forced to exceed

that figure.' "Clémentine lived on the Rue Boccador, in a little Moorish pavilion

that I had bought for her from M. de Lesseps. I found her in bed. When

she saw me, she burst into tears.