It was six o'clock in the evening when the boat belonging to Harris put
off to The Fancy. They carried the King on deck; he could not walk.
Photini, weeping, threw herself into his arms. It was happiness to see
that those whom she loved had survived the battle, but she found her
father grown twenty years older. Possibly, also, she suffered from
Harris' indifference. He delivered her to her father in a characteristic
American fashion, saying: "We are quits! You have returned my friend to
me; I have restored Mademoiselle to you. An even exchange is no robbery!
Short accounts make long friends! And now, most venerable old man, under
what beneficent region of the earth will you search for the one who is
to hang you?"
"Pardon me," he replied, with a certain hauteur. "I have bidden adieu to
brigandage forever. What would I do in the mountains? All of my men are
dead, wounded or scattered. I could form another band; but these hands
which have been so powerful, refuse to act. Younger men must take my
place; but I defy them to equal my fortune and my renown. What shall I
do with what few years are left to me? I know not yet; but you may be
sure that my last days will not be idle ones. I have to establish my
daughter to dictate my memoirs. Possibly, even, if the shocks of this
week have not wearied my brain too severely, I will consecrate to the
service of the State my talents and my experience. May God give me
health and strength! before six months have passed I shall be President
of the Ministry!"
VIII.
THE COURT BALL.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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