"Look there! look there!" she answered, in a terrified voice, pointing

towards the house, "my mother!"

At the same moment, on the door-step of the cottage, through which she

had passed, and found it empty, appeared the Circassian.

She was accompanied by a man.

"This is my daughter, sir," she said to him.

I sprang forward to throw myself in front of Kondjé-Gul.

"Come, don't agitate yourself, my dear fellow!" said my uncle. "Do me

the favour of keeping quiet!"

Then, rising up as he would to receive guests, he walked a few steps

towards Madame Murrah, who had advanced towards us, and addressing

himself to the man, said to him: "Will you inform me, sir, to what I am indebted for the honour of this

visit from you?"

"I am a Commissary of Police, sir, and am deputed by the court to assist

this lady, who has come to demand the restitution of her daughter,

illegally harboured by you at your house."

"Very well, sir," continued my uncle; "I am delighted to see you! But be

so kind, if you please, as to walk into the house, where we can consider

your demand more comfortably than in this garden."

"Take care," said the Circassian to the commissary: "they want to

contrive her escape!"

"Nothing of the sort, my dear madam," replied my uncle: "this gentleman

will tell you that we could not venture to do such a thing in his

presence. Your daughter will remain with us to answer any questions

which may be put to her. I am taking her arm, and if you will kindly

follow us, I shall have the honour of showing you the way."

Onésime and Rupert might be distinguished in the dim perspective,

waiting apparently for a signal from the captain to remove both the

commissary and the unwelcome lady visitor.

Our hearts were beating fast: Kondjé-Gul could hardly restrain her

feelings. We went in, and my uncle, as calm as ever, offered chairs to

Madame Murrah and to the emissary of justice. Then he addressed him

again, saying: "May I inquire, sir, whether you are provided with a formal warrant

authorizing you to employ force to take this young lady away, according

to her mother's wish?"

"I have the judge's order!" exclaimed Madame Murrah with vehemence.

"Excuse me, excuse me," continued my uncle, "but let us avoid all

confusion! Be so kind, if you please, madam, as to permit the commissary

to answer my question. We are anxious to observe the respect which we

owe to his office."




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