“For our sakes,” added Génifrède.
“Stay with us!” cried Monsieur Pascal and Afra.
“Farewell, then,” said Euphrosyne, extending her arms to Madame L’Ouverture.
“We are losing time,” said General Brunet, as the clang of the alarm-bell was heard again. By his order, some soldiers went in search of the traitor who was ringing the bell; and others pushed the captive family before them towards the door. Monsieur Coasson thrust himself between the parting friends, and began to count the family, in order to tell who was missing. It would not do, he observed, to leave any behind.
“Lose no more time,” said the admiral. “Those who may be left behind are cared for, I promise you. We have a hundred of them safe already.”
“A hundred of whom?” asked Toussaint, as he walked.
“Of your friends,” replied Admiral Ferrari.
This was too true. A hundred of Toussaint’s most attached adherents had been seized this night. No one of them was ever again heard of in the island.
At the door of the mansion Denis was brought forward, guarded. His eyes were flashing fire.
“The country is up!” he cried. “I got good service out of the old bell before they found me.”