"
"Ah," cried Raynal, "you see I know what it is. I have been chained down
by the arm, and the leg, and all: it is deadly tiresome."
"Tiresome! it is--it is--oh, dear commandant, Heaven bless you for
coming!"
"Ta! ta! ta! I am come on my own business."
"All the better. I have nothing to do; that is what kills me. I'm eating
my own heart."
"Cannibal! Well, my lad, since you are in that humor, cheer up, for I
bring you a job, and a tough one; it has puzzled me."
"What is it, commandant? What is it?"
"Well, do you know a house and a family called Beaurepaire?"
"Do I know Beaurepaire?"
And the pale youth turned very red; and stared with awe at this wizard
of a commandant. He thought he was going to be called over the coals for
frequenting a disaffected family. "Well," said Raynal, "I have been and
bought this Beaurepaire."
Edouard uttered a loud exclamation. "It was YOU bought it! she never
told me that."
"Yes," said Raynal, "I am the culprit; and we have fixed on you to undo
my work without hurting their pride too much, poor souls; but let us
begin with the facts.
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