Horses were plentiful at the colony: there were more than the colonists could use, and hence de Laville would have found no difficulty in granting the colonel's request. Still his guest's manner seemed so little natural, and he fancied he detected something so mysterious about him, that he felt his alarm increased, and said,—
"I do not know, colonel, whether, in spite of my lively desire to be agreeable to you, it will be possible for me to fulfil your request; for horses are extremely scarce here at this moment."
The colonel made a sign of annoyance.
"Caramba!" he said, "that would vex me greatly."
At this moment a peon discreetly opened the door, and handed the captain a paper, on which a few words were written in pencil. The young man, after apologising, opened the paper and quickly read it.
"Oh!" he suddenly exclaimed, as he crumpled the paper in his hands with considerable agitation, "he here! What can be the matter?"
"Eh?" the colonel said curiously, who had not understood the meaning of this sentence spoken in French.
"Nothing," the other answered; "a mere personal matter." Then turning to the peon, he said, "I am coming."
The peon bowed and left the room.
"Colonel," de Laville continued, addressing his guest, "permit me to leave you for an instant."