protege.

For a moment the savage feeling, the bloodthirsty instinct, had overcome
the human being in the Chourineur; but remorse eventually overwhelmed
the instinct. That was as it should be, and it was a fine lesson.

"Forgive me, my lord," said the Chourineur, in a faltering voice; "I
make but a bad recompense for all your kindness to me, but--"

"Not at all, my good fellow; I told you that our bargain was
conditional. I selected for you the business of a butcher, because your
inclinations and taste seemed to lie in that direction--"

"Alas! my lord, that's true; and, had it not been for what you know of,
that would have been the trade of all others I should have chosen. I was
only saying so to M. Murphy a little while since."

"As it was just possible that your taste did not lie that way, I have
thought of another arrangement for you. A person who has a large tract
of property at Algiers will give me up, for you, one of the extensive
farms he holds in that country. The lands belonging to it are very
fertile, and in full bearing; but I will not conceal from you, this
estate is situated on the boundaries of the Atlas mountains,--that is,
near the outposts, and exposed to the frequent attacks of the Arabs, and
one must be as much of a soldier as a husbandman: it is, at the same
time, a redoubt and a farm. The man who occupies this dwelling in the
absence of the proprietor will explain everything to you; they say he is
honest and faithful, and you may retain him there as long as you like.
Once established there, you will not only increase your means by your
labour and ability, but render a real service to your country by your
courage. The colonists have formed a militia, and the extent of your
property, the number of your tenants who will depend on you, will make
you the chief of a very considerable troop. Headed by your courage, this
band may be extremely useful in protecting the properties which are
throughout the plain. I repeat to you, that this prospect for you would
please me very much, in spite of, or, rather, in consequence of the
danger; because you could at the same time display your natural
intrepidity; and because, having thus expiated, and, as I may say,
ransomed yourself from a great crime, your restitution to society would
be more noble, more complete, more heroic, if it were worked out, in the
midst of perils in an unconquered clime, than in the midst of the quiet
inhabitants of a little town. If I d