ulattoes
we owe our disgrace."

"I have beloved friends of your colour," said Toussaint. "Believe me,
however, the complexion of your souls is so disgusting that I have no
attention to spare for your faces. You must now depart."

"Change our punishment!" said Gauthier. "Consider that I am an emigrant
officer. Some other punishment!"

"No other," said Toussaint. "This is the fit punishment--mean as your
design--ridiculous as your attempt. Are the French Commissaries in
waiting, Laroche? Let them be announced."

The prisoners were removed by one door, while the imposing party from
France entered by the other.

Commissary Hedouville, who had been for some time resident at Cap
Francais, entered, followed by a party of his countrymen, just arrived
from Paris. There was among them one, at sight of whom Toussaint's
countenance changed, while an exclamation was heard from the piazza,
which showed that his family were moved like himself. The person who
excited this emotion was a young black officer, who entered smiling, and
as if scarcely able to keep his place behind the Commissary, and General
Michel, the head of the new deputation.

The Commander-in-chief quitted his station, and advanced some steps,
seizing the officer's hand, and asking eagerly--

"Vincent! Why here? My boys--how, where are they?"

"They are well: both well and happy in our beloved Paris. I am here
with General Michel; sent by the government, with gifts and compliments,
which--"

"Which we will speak of when I have offered my welcome to these
representatives of the government we all obey," said Toussaint, turning
to the Commissary and the General, and remembering that his emotions as
a father had caused him, for the moment, to lose sight of the business
of the hour. He made himself the usher of the French Commissaries to
the sofa, in front of which he had himself been standing. There he
would have seated Hedouville and General Michel. Hedouville threw
himself down willingly enough; but the newly arrived messenger chose to
stand.

"I come," said he, "the bearer to you of honours from the Republic,
which I delight to present as the humblest of your servants.--Not a word
of apology for your graceful action of welcome to Brigadier-General
Vincent! What so graceful as the emotions of a parent's heart? I
understand--I am aware--he went out as the guardian of your sons; and
your first welcome was, therefore, due to him. The office of