“They were born slaves, my lord; but they have now the loyal hearts of freemen within them, amidst the ignorance and follies of their youth.”
“They are—”
“My nephew and my two sons, my lord.”
“And why mounted at this hour?”
“They are going to their homes, by my direction.”
“If it were not that you have business with me, which I suppose you desire them not to overhear—”
“It is as you say, General.”
“If it had not been so, I would have requested that they might be at our table this morning. As it is, I will not delay their journey.”
And the General touched his hat to the lads, with a graciousness which made them bend low their uncovered heads, and report marvels at home of the deportment of the Marquis d’Hermona. Seeing how their father was occupied, they were satisfied with a grasp of his hand as he passed, received from him a letter for their mother, and waited only till he and his guest had disappeared within the tent, to gallop off. They wondered at being made the bearers of a letter, as they knew that his horse was ordered to be ready beside his tent immediately after breakfast, and had not a doubt of his arriving at the shore almost as soon as themselves.
Papalier was lounging on the couch beside the table where breakfast was spread, when General Hermona and his host offered. He started up, casting a look of doubt upon Toussaint.