“Who are you, then,” said Emanuel, advancing a step towards him, “who are you, sir, who thus disposes of a young girl who is my sister, who has never seen you, and who does not even know that you exist?” “Who am I!” replied Paul, smiling; “upon my honor, I know no more upon that subject than you do, for my birth is a secret which is only to be revealed to me when I have attained my twenty-fifth year.” “And you will attain that age?”---- “This evening, sir. I place myself at your disposal from to-morrow morning, to give you all the information you may require of me,” and saying these words, Paul bowed. “I allow you to depart, sir, but you will understand it is upon the condition that we meet again.” “I was about to propose that condition, count, and I thank you for having anticipated me.” He then bowed to Emanuel a second time, and left the room. At the castle gate, Paul found his horse and servant, and resumed the route to Port Louis. When he had got out of sight of the castle, he alighted from his horse, and directed his steps towards a fisherman’s hut, built upon the beach. At the door of this house, seated upon a bench, and in a sailor’s’ dress, was a young man so deeply absorbed in thought, that he did not observe Paul’s approach. The captain placed his hand upon the young man’s shoulder, the other started, looked at him, and became frightfully pale, although the open and joyful countenance of Paul, indicated that he was far from being the bearer of bad news. “Well!” said Paul to him, “I have seen her.” “Who?” demanded the young man. “Marguerite, by heaven!” “And----” “She is charming.” “I did not ask you that.” “She loves you still.” “Gracious heaven!” exclaimed the young man, throwing himself into Paul’s arms, and bursting into tears. CHAPTER VII.--THE FAITHFUL SERVANT. O good old man; how well in thee appears The constant service of the antique world When service sweat for duty, not for need! Thou art not for the fashion of these times Where none will sweat but for promotion; And having that, do choice their service up Even with the having: it is not so with thee. Shakespeare. Although our readers must readily comprehend, after that which we have just related to them, all that had passed in the six months during which we had lost sight of our heroes, some details are, however, necessary, in order that they should fully understand the new events about to be accomplished.