Claire and Julie were both blondes, with complexions miraculously fair, considering their French blood; but in Georgette, the tallest, most fully rounded—in short, the most beautiful, as she seemed to please and fill the eye, I recognized the black orbs, the long lashes, and the bright golden hair of my supposed dream, for this fair French girl in her eyes and tresses had that remarkable contrast which we so seldom find, and which becomes so dazzling, when brilliant.
These three sisters were all accomplished; they played and sang well, and were, I afterwards discovered, fall of vivacity and drollery, which made them very charming friends.
"They have all been dying with curiosity——"
"Pardon, papa, say gratitude," urged Georgette.
"Well, with gratitude, M. le Capitaine," continued M. de Thoisy, "to see one to whom we owe so much; for, parbleu! if they set some value on my life, be assured that I set a great deal more."
"Dear, dear papa," said little Claire, "do not talk of it; ah! how terrified he must have been—now, was he not, M. le Capitaine?"
"Terrified!" reiterated De Thoisy, ere I could reply to the pretty questioner; "mon Dieu! I should think so! Though there never was a De Thoisy, either in France or the Antilles, who feared death, there are ways of dying pleasantly; but to be fricasseed alive, joint by joint, under the jaws of the Congo fetish, is not one."
"Ah! monsieur," said Julie, "how much we owe you for saving our dear papa!"
"But, with a single company of white soldiers, was it prudent of you to attack a thousand savages?" asked Georgette.
"Merci," exclaimed De Thoisy; "my Georgette is becoming quite a little general!"