"Look there! look there!" she answered, in a terrified voice, pointing
towards the house, "my mother!"
At the same moment, on the door-step of the cottage, through which she
had passed, and found it empty, appeared the Circassian.
She was accompanied by a man.
"This is my daughter, sir," she said to him.
I sprang forward to throw myself in front of Kondjé-Gul.
"Come, don't agitate yourself, my dear fellow!" said my uncle. "Do me
the favour of keeping quiet!"
Then, rising up as he would to receive guests, he walked a few steps
towards Madame Murrah, who had advanced towards us, and addressing
himself to the man, said to him: "Will you inform me, sir, to what I am indebted for the honour of this
visit from you?"
"I am a Commissary of Police, sir, and am deputed by the court to assist
this lady, who has come to demand the restitution of her daughter,
illegally harboured by you at your house."
"Very well, sir," continued my uncle; "I am delighted to see you! But be
so kind, if you please, as to walk into the house, where we can consider
your demand more comfortably than in this garden."
"Take care," said the Circassian to the commissary: "they want to
contrive her escape!"
"Nothing of the sort, my dear madam," replied my uncle: "this gentleman
will tell you that we could not venture to do such a thing in his
presence. Your daughter will remain with us to answer any questions
which may be put to her. I am taking her arm, and if you will kindly
follow us, I shall have the honour of showing you the way."
Onésime and Rupert might be distinguished in the dim perspective,
waiting apparently for a signal from the captain to remove both the
commissary and the unwelcome lady visitor.
Our hearts were beating fast: Kondjé-Gul could hardly restrain her
feelings. We went in, and my uncle, as calm as ever, offered chairs to
Madame Murrah and to the emissary of justice. Then he addressed him
again, saying: "May I inquire, sir, whether you are provided with a formal warrant
authorizing you to employ force to take this young lady away, according
to her mother's wish?"
"I have the judge's order!" exclaimed Madame Murrah with vehemence.
"Excuse me, excuse me," continued my uncle, "but let us avoid all
confusion! Be so kind, if you please, madam, as to permit the commissary
to answer my question. We are anxious to observe the respect which we
owe to his office."