rrel! How
completely shall we make him understand L'Ouverture! And how, through
us, Leclerc can put your father in possession of the views of Bonaparte:
Oh, Aimee, be mine, and let us go!"

"And if it were otherwise--if it came to bloodshed--to deadly warfare?"

"Then, love, you would least of all repent. Alone and desolate--parted
from your brothers--parted from me."

"From you, Vincent?"

"Assuredly. I can never unsheath my sword against those to whom my
attachment is strong. I can never fight against an army from Paris--
troops that have been led by Bonaparte."

"Does my father know that?"

"He cannot know me if he anticipates anything else. I execute his
orders at present, because I admire his system of government, and am
anxious that it should appear to the best advantage to the
brother-in-law of the First Consul. Thus, I am confident that there
will be no war. But, love, if there should be, you will be parted for
ever from your brothers and from me, by remaining here--you will never
again see Isaac. Nay, nay! No tears! no terrors, my Aimee! By being
mine, and going with me to that place where all are happy--to Paris--you
will, through my interest, best aid your father; and Isaac and I will
watch over you for ever."

"Not a word more, Vincent! You make me wretched. Not a word more, till
I have spoken to my father. He must, he will tell me what he thinks,
what he expects--whether he fears. Hark! There are horsemen!"

"Can it be? Horsemen approaching on this side? I will look out."

"No, no! Vincent, you shall not go--"

Her terror was so great that Vincent could not indeed leave her. As the
tramp of a company of horsemen became almost lost on quitting the hard
road for the deep sand, he dropped his voice, whispering in her ear that
she was quite safe, completely hidden under the mangroves, and that he
would not leave her. She clasped his hand with both hers, to compel him
to keep his word, and implored him not to speak--not to shake a leaf of
their covert.

The company passed very near; so near as that the sand thrown up by the
horses' feet pattered among the foliage of the mangroves. No one of the
strangers was then speaking; but in another moment the sentry challenged
them. They laughed, and were certainly stopping at the little gate.

"We know your master, fellow," said one. "We have had more talk with
him in one day than you in all your service."

"I am sure I ought to kno