But, placed between the alternatives of returning to France with Madame de Fersen, who was charming, or of remaining in Khios with my slaves, that were beginning to be hateful to me, and sharing my solitude with Du Pluvier, I had no hesitation in leaving the island. I have always come to grave decisions with promptness. As Du Pluvier continued to insist, I told him that I had not yet given him my real reason for declining his offer, but that, since he forced me to it, I must tell him that I was obliged to return to France. "Leave your beautiful palace,--those adorable women,--that light your pipe, and pour out your wine,--who dance for you as though you were at the Opéra,--real houris! It is impossible!" "Unfortunately, my dear Du Pluvier, there are some confessions that are hard to make even to a friend, but to tell the truth, I have sustained losses, and my diminished fortune obliges me to return to France, and live less like a sultan." "Really, really, my dear count," said Du Pluvier, who seemed sincerely grieved, "you can't tell how sad that makes me. But what are you going to do with all this establishment?" "I am going to free the women, the birds, the dogs, and the dwarfs, pay an indemnity to the Marquis Justiniani, and sell all the furniture in Khios." "You have decided to do that?" "Quite decided." "Positively?" "Yes, yes, yes,--a hundred times yes." "Then, my dear Arthur, you will not reproach me if I profit by your decision?" "How can that be? What do you mean?" "This is my scheme. The life you are living in this earthly paradise has turned my head. Will you sell me all of these treasures,--palace, women, dogs, dwarfs, and parrots?" I thought that he was joking, and looked at him incredulously. "Is it a bargain? You will lose less than in selling everything piecemeal," said he, with a resolute air. "But what do you ask for the slaves and the furniture?" "It is useless for you to ask the price of the slaves, for I will only leave them with you on condition that when you leave the island you will set them free." "But how do you expect to get back to France?" "I shall ask M. de Fersen to allow me to take your place on the frigate." "But the ship is to sail to-day." "What difference does that make? If you are quite decided, I can leave to-day." "I am perfectly decided. Shake hands, my dear Arthur; I only need the time it will take me to go on board and get my baggage." "Then it is agreed." And Du Pluvier left me. This sudden resolution of his did not greatly astonish me. Du Pluvier was one of those essentially imitative natures, who, never having any ideas of their own, are always ready to appropriate those of others, and disport in them, whether suitable or not. Like those persons who wear a costume without stopping to see if it fits them, Du Pluvier had doubtless been struck by the eccentricity of my existence, and thought himself very original in adopting it.