IN THE SHADOW
continued Dr. Fouchère. "How you can enjoy England is more than I can understand. Garçon! What will you have, Aristide, cognac? Si! Garçon, cognac and absinth frappé … and some Turkish cigarettes."
"I went to England to study," said Dessalines, "and I have been working."
Fouchère shrugged. "It sounds most fatiguing. But do you not miss the gayeties, the life, the ladies?"
Dessalines frowned. "My dear Tancrède I was never a gay fellow like yourself; but since I have been in England I have been led to the Light." Expressions which would have been cant to an Englishman were deeply impressive to the primitive nature of Dessalines. "Personally I prefer the English régime; decency, morality, religion, are the strongest buttresses of state. Before all else I am a Haytian, and I have seen too fully how the curse of our country has always been the pursuit of pleasure on the part of those in positions to indulge themselves." His voice gained weight as he began to forget himself in his words. "Hayti is a youthful republic … and an opéra bouffe. It is my ambition—" he glanced furtively at Fouchère who was watching him intently, "to make …. to set a different example," he ended sulkily.
Fouchère gave him a quick look and began to talk of other things. Dessalines listened, interested, diverted, presently amused. In answer to the inquiries of his friend he narrated his own doings of the past few weeks, dilating with negro vanity upon his intimacy with the Maltbys.
"Ah, there was a charming fellow there, an acquaintance of yours, my dear Tancrède—a naturalist."
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