human
It is not without reasons that I decline honour in this place this morning--reasons which I will explain. Shall I conduct you to my tent? And these gentlemen of your staff?
gpt
As we have business, my friend, I will come alone. I shall be sorry if there is any quarrel between us, Toussaint. If you have to ask justice of me, I declare to you I know not the cause.
human
It is not for myself, General, that I ask justice. I have ever received from you more than justice.
gpt
You have attached your men to yourself with singular skill, said the General, on their way down the slope from the church, as he closely observed the countenances of the black soldiers, which brightened, as if touched by the sunlight, on the approach of their commander.
human
Their attachment to you is singular. I no longer wonder at your achievements in the field.
gpt
It is by no skill of mine, replied Toussaint;
human
The same might be said of Jean Francais, as far as your reasons go; but Jean Francais is not beloved like you. He looks gayer than you, my friend, notwithstanding. He is happy in his new rank, probably. You have heard that he is ennobled by the court of Spain?
gpt
I had not heard it. It will please him.
human
It evidently does. He is made a noble; and his military rank is now that of lieutenant-General. Your turn will come next, my friend; and if promotion went strictly according to personal merit, no one would have been advanced sooner than you.
gpt
I do not desire promotion, and--
human
Ah! there your stoical philosophy comes in. But I will show you another way of applying it. Rank brings cares; so that one who is not a stoic may have an excuse for shrinking from it; but a stoic despises cares. Ha! we have some young soldiers here, he said, as Moyse and his cousins stood beside the way, to make their obeisance;
gpt
They were born slaves, my lord; but they have now the loyal hearts of freemen within them, amidst the ignorance and follies of their youth.
human
They are--
gpt
My nephew and my two sons, my lord.
human
And why mounted at this hour?
gpt
They are going to their homes, by my direction.
human
If it were not that you have business with me, which I suppose you desire them not to overhear--
gpt
It is as you say, General.
human
If it had not been so, I would have requested that they might be at our table this morning. As it is, I will not delay their journey.