"Eulalie—Mademoiselle Eulalie here—here in Martinique! what marvel is this?" he asked; "I am so enchanted to see you, that I am without words——"
"Excuse me, M. le Lieutenant," said I coldly, for I had now certain undefined suspicions regarding him; "but be assured that the enchantment is exclusively your own."
"Mademoiselle," said he, attempting to kiss my hand, "I am honoured."
"That is as may be," I replied sharply: "but lead me to my father."
"Her father!" exclaimed the soldiers, in varying tones of surprise and regret; "Sang Dieu! 'tis the daughter of old Citizen Mazancy."
"Excuse me," said the lieutenant, with a troubled expression; "but at present this introduction is impossible."
"Impossible!" I reiterated, proudly and indignantly; "Mon Dieu! what do you mean, sir? Does he not command the troops in this island?"
"He did 'command them.'"
"Did?"
"Oui, mademoiselle."