ll not take care of me. I will take care of
myself. I will drown myself sooner than go with him. I do not care
what becomes of me, but I will not go."

"Yes, you will care what becomes of you, Therese, because your own
people care," said Jacques. "I will protect you. If you will be my
wife, no white shall molest you again."

"Be your wife!"

"Yes. I love the blacks; and none so much as those whom the whites have
oppressed--no one so much as you. If you will be my wife, we will--"

Here, remembering the presence of a white, Jacques explained to Therese
in the negro language (which she understood, though she always spoke
French), the new hopes which had arisen for the blacks, and his own
intention of following Toussaint, to make him a chief. He concluded in
good French, smiling maliciously at Papalier as he spoke--

"You will come with me now to the priest, and be my wife."

"I will," replied Therese, calmly.

"Go," said Papalier. "You have my leave. I am thus honourably released
from the care of you till times shall change. I am glad that you will
not remain unprotected, at least."

"Unprotected!" exclaimed Therese, as she threw on the Spanish mantle
which she was now accustomed to wear abroad. "Unprotected! And what
has your protection been?"

"Very kind, my dear, I am sure. I have spent on your education money
which I should be very glad of now. When people flatter you, Therese
(as they will do; for there is not a negress in all the island to
compare with you),--remember who made you a lady. You will promise me
that much, Therese, at parting?"

"Remember who made me a lady!--I have forgotten too long who made me a
woman," said Therese, devoutly upraising her eyes. "In serving Him and
loving my husband, I will strive to forget you."

"All alike!" muttered Papalier, as the pair went out. "This is what one
may expect from negroes, as the General will leant when he has had
enough to do with them. They are all alike."

This great event in the life of Jacques Dessalines did not delay his
proceedings for more than half-an-hour. Noon was but just past, when he
led forth his wife from the presence of the priest, mounted her on his
own horse before his tent, and sent her forward under the escort of his
personal servant, promising to overtake her almost as soon as she should
have crossed the river. When she was gone, he sent the word through the
negro soldiery, who gathered round him almost to a