“And you will attain that age?”——
“This evening, sir. I place myself at your disposal from to-morrow morning, to give you all the information you may require of me,” and saying these words, Paul bowed.
“I allow you to depart, sir, but you will understand it is upon the condition that we meet again.”
“I was about to propose that condition, count, and I thank you for having anticipated me.”
He then bowed to Emanuel a second time, and left the room. At the castle gate, Paul found his horse and servant, and resumed the route to Port Louis. When he had got out of sight of the castle, he alighted from his horse, and directed his steps towards a fisherman’s hut, built upon the beach. At the door of this house, seated upon a bench, and in a sailor’s’ dress, was a young man so deeply absorbed in thought, that he did not observe Paul’s approach. The captain placed his hand upon the young man’s shoulder, the other started, looked at him, and became frightfully pale, although the open and joyful countenance of Paul, indicated that he was far from being the bearer of bad news.
“Well!” said Paul to him, “I have seen her.”
“Who?” demanded the young man.
“Marguerite, by heaven!”
“And——”
“She is charming.”