ns to bestow upon
you her whole fortune." Madame de la Tour replied, that the state of her
health would not permit her to undertake so long a voyage. "At least,"
resumed Monsieur de la Bourdonnais, "you cannot without injustice,
deprive this amiable young lady, your daughter, of so noble an
inheritance. I will not conceal from you, that your aunt has made use of
her influence to secure your daughter being sent to her; and that I have
received official letters, in which I am ordered to exert my authority,
if necessary, to that effect. But as I only wish to employ my power for
the purpose of rendering the inhabitants of this country happy, I expect
from your good sense the voluntary sacrifice of a few years, upon which
your daughter's establishment in the world, and the welfare of your
whole life depends. Wherefore do we come to these islands? Is it not to
acquire a fortune? And will it not be more agreeable to return and find
it in your own country?"

He then took a large bag of piastres from one of his slaves, and placed
it upon the table. "This sum," he continued, "is allotted by your aunt
to defray the outlay necessary for the equipment of the young lady for
her voyage." Gently reproaching Madame de la Tour for not having had
recourse to him in her difficulties, he extolled at the same time her
noble fortitude. Upon this Paul said to the governor,--"My mother did
apply to you, sir, and you received her ill."--"Have you another child,
madam?" said Monsieur de la Bourdonnais to Madame de la Tour. "No, Sir,"
she replied; "this is the son of my friend; but he and Virginia are
equally dear to us, and we mutually consider them both as our own
children." "Young man," said the governor to Paul, "when you have
acquired a little more experience of the world, you will know that it
is the misfortune of people in place to be deceived, and bestow, in
consequence, upon intriguing vice, that which they would wish to give to
modest merit."

Monsieur de la Bourdonnais, at the request of Madame de la Tour, placed
himself next to her at table, and breakfasted after the manner of the
Creoles, upon coffee, mixed with rice boiled in water. He was delighted
with the order and cleanliness which prevailed in the little cottage,
the harmony of the two interesting families, and the zeal of their old
servants. "Here," he exclaimed, "I discern only wooden furniture; but I
find serene countenances and hearts of gold." Paul, enchanted with the
aff