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Monsieur Coasson whispered to the admiral, who said, in consequence, bowing to Euphrosyne "I can answer for this young lady being a welcome guest to Madame Leclerc. If she will afford to a countryman the pleasure and honour of conveying her, it will give him joy to introduce her to a society worthy of her."
Voices of lamentation and of passion were heard in the corridor, which quickened L'Ouverture's movements more than threats or insults could have done. He left the library, and found the ladies of the household in the corridor Margot weeping and trembling, and Genifrede addressing Monsieur Coasson in a tone of high anger. "You here!
In delivering his despatches, he said, he was delivering his farewell. Within an hour, the deputation and himself must be travelling in different directions. Monsieur Coasson, on receiving the packets, said that he had no other desire than to be on his way.
Monsieur Coasson thrust himself between the parting friends, and began to count the family, in order to tell who was missing. It would not do, he observed, to leave any behind. "Lose no more time," said the admiral. "Those who may be left behind are cared for, I promise you. We have a hundred of them safe already." "A hundred of whom?" asked Toussaint, as he walked.
Assuming the air of an ambassador, and looking round him, as if to require the attention of all present, Monsieur Coasson discharged himself of his commission, as follows: "General Toussaint " "They will not acknowledge him as L'Ouverture," observed Therese to Madame Pascal and Genifrede. Afra's eyes filled with tears.
Immediately on the return of Coasson to the fleet, under the date of the 17th of February, the Captain-General issued a proclamation of outlawry against L'Ouverture and Christophe, pronouncing it the imperative duty of every one who had the power to seize and deliver up the traitors. As Toussaint said to his family, Pongaudin was a residence for a citizen; outlaws must go to the mountains.
The tone of their conversation was, however, reduced to a low murmur, while Monsieur Coasson read aloud the following proclamation: "Paris, November 8, 1801. "Inhabitants of Saint Domingo, "Whatever your origin or your colour, you are all French: you are all equal, and all free, before God, and before the Republic.
"This document is signed, you will perceive," said Monsieur Coasson, "by the First Consul, and by the Secretary of State, Monsieur H.B. Maret." Once more it was in vain to explore the countenance of L'Ouverture. It was still immovable.
Meantime, he requested that Monsieur Coasson, and all whom he had brought in his company, would make themselves at home in his house; and, turning to his wife and family, he commended his newly arrived guests to their hospitality. With a passing smile and greeting to his sons, he was about to leave the room with Monsieur Pascal, when Monsieur Coasson intimated that he had one thing more to say.
Returning to Leclerc, under his conditional orders, can never be considered a declaration against my father: while remaining here, against Leclerc's orders, is an undeniable declaration against Bonaparte and France a declaration which I never will make." "I stay with my father," said Placide. "Your reasons?" asked Monsieur Coasson; "that I may report them to the Captain-General."
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