ur ruler and I--
the ruler, in alliance with him, of my race in Saint Domingo--were
brothers in soul, as we were apparently in duty and in fortune.
Brothers in soul we were not, as it has been the heaviest grief of my
life to learn. I spurn brotherhood of soul with one whose ambition has
been for himself. Brothers in duty we were; and, if we should yet be
brothers in fortune--if he should fall into the hands of a strong foe--
But you are saying in your heart, `No foreboding! Foreboding is bad!'"

Rubaut smiled, and said foreboding was only bad for the spirits; and the
First Consul's spirits were not likely to be affected by anything that
could be said at Joux. To predict bad fortune for him was like looking
for the sun to be put out at noonday; it might pass the time, but would
not dim the sun.

"So was it said of me," replied the prisoner, "and with the more reason,
because I made no enemies. My enemies have not been of my own making.
Your ruler is making enemies on every hand; and alas! for him if he
lives to meet the hour of retribution! If he, like myself, should fall
into the power of a strong foe--if he should pass his remaining days
imprisoned on a rock, may he find more peace than I should dare look
for, if I had his soul!"

"There is not a braver man in Europe, or the Indies either, than the
First Consul."

"Brave towards foes without and sufferings to come. But bravery gives
no help against enemies harboured within, and evils fixed in the past.
What will his bravery avail against the images of France corrupted, of
Europe outraged, of the blacks betrayed and oppressed--of the godlike
power which was put into his hands abused to the purposes of the devil!"

"But perhaps he would not view his affairs as you do."

"Then would his bravery avail him no better. If he should be so blind
as to see nothing higher and better than his own acts, then will he see
no higher nor better hope than he has lost. Then will he suffer and die
under the slow torment of personal mortifications and regrets."

"You say you are sinking under your reverses. You say you are slowly
dying."

"I am. I shall die of the sickening and pining of sense and limb--of
the wasting of bone and muscle. Day by day is my eye more dim, and my
right arm more feeble. But I have never complained of evils that the
bravery you speak of would not meet. Have I ever said that you have
touched my soul?"

Rubaut saw the fire in his eye, glan