human
M. Pascal takes us for ghosts.
gpt
By no means, Mademoiselle Revel. Ghosts do not wrap themselves in shawls from the night air, I believe; nor come in at the door when the shorter way is through the wall; or take a seat when asked, as I hope you will do.
human
We might have frightened you delightfully if we could have looked half as ghost-like as you did, the first moment you saw us. Perhaps it was the lamp--
gpt
Hush! Euphrosyne, said Afra.
human
You speak too loud, and waste time. Remember what we came for. Monsieur Pascal, she said, in a low voice, leaning towards him over the table, and refusing to sit down,
gpt
Not at all, I believe. Why?
human
He is in great danger; indeed, indeed he is.
gpt
Where are the soldiers? asked Euphrosyne.
human
Do send for them directly: and ask him to lock himself up in the safest place till they come.
gpt
Tell me what you mean, and then--
human
I think he is in danger, now the white rulers are gone, from the people of my colour, said Afra:
gpt
Do you mean that they intend to murder him?
human
Perhaps so. Perhaps to seize him, and send him to Rigaud;--and that will be only a slower murder.
gpt
But how--
human
I will tell you. Euphrosyne and I sat rather late behind the jalousies, in the dark, to see the people bring in flowers and fruit from the country for the morning. I saw many mulattoes in the walk; but none of them had fruit or flowers. I watched them. I know their ways, their countenances, and their gestures. I saw they were gloomy and angry; and I found out that it is with L'Ouverture. They were plotting mischief, I am certain.
gpt
But why so suddenly?--why to-night?
human
So we thought at first; and we went to rest, intending to tell L'Ouverture to-morrow. But the more we thought and talked about it, the more uneasy we grew. We were afraid to go to sleep without telling some one in this wing; so we stole along the corridors in the dark, and saw that there was a light in this library, and ventured to look in, hoping it might be L'Ouverture himself.
gpt
He is asleep in a room near. I will waken him. You are not afraid to stay here a few moments, while I am gone?
human
Oh, no.
gpt
He may wish to question you himself.
human
Tell him, said Afra, speaking rapidly,
gpt
She would do anything in the world to save him,
human
You are dear as a daughter to him,
gpt
I wish I was sure of that, said Afra.
human
But what can be done, Euphrosyne? He has no guard! And my father is not here, nor any one to help us! I fancy every moment I hear them coming.
gpt
I am not much afraid, said Euphrosyne, her teeth chattering all the while.
human
He is so powerful! He never seems to want anybody to protect-- scarcely to help him.
gpt
But asleep! After midnight! Think of it! If they should seize him and bind him before he is awake!
human
You knew! whispered Afra.
gpt
We need not have come. I believe you always know everything.
human
I suspected a plan to prevent the publishing of the amnesty to-morrow, and the filling up the offices of the colony with blacks. I suspected, but was not certain. Your intelligence has confirmed me.
gpt
What will happen? asked Euphrosyne, trembling.
human
Will anybody be killed?
gpt
Not to-night, I trust. You may go to rest secure that no blood will be spilled to-night; and to-morrow, you know, is a holy-day. If you hear a step in the corridor of this your wing, do not be alarmed. I am going to send one of my own guard.