“I will stay with you.”
“Thank God! Then we are friends indeed! Now to business. In the pressing affairs of to-day, we must not overlook the future security of the colony. The story which Hédouville will tell at home must be met and illustrated by our statement. Write so fully to the First Consul as that he may clearly see that it is to Hédouville’s ignorance and presumption that the present disturbances are owing.”
“It is a clear case.”
“It is to us. Make it so to him. One word first. Will you undertake the office of governor of this town?”
“Instead of Raymond?”
“Instead of Raymond. He is a good man; but I erred in appointing him. He is fit for deliberation, but not for action. But for my early arrival, this town would have been burned to-day, for want of even a show of defence. He is setting out now for the legislature, to which I have appointed him, and where he will be valuable. Will you assume his office?”
“By no means. I desire to remain beside you, and study your mode of government, before I attempt myself to govern.”
“I have no fixed mode of governing. I merely act as seems to me good at the time.”
“Inspired by a generous love, ever,” said Pascal.
“Enough of this. It would be an advantage to me, and to the colony, that you should undertake this office. There is no other white, there is no mulatto fit for it! and the mulattoes need conciliation. If they see the office bestowed on a black, or occupied by me, in the interim they will feel themselves injured by Raymond’s removal. You see the advantages of your filling the office.”