IN THE SHADOW
The journey had pleased him; the place when he arrived, even more. Many people were driving; he thought the equipages handsomer than those met with in an English watering place; the people also seemed more attractive, the women prettier; the air of gayety was rather that of France than England.
Soon the road led out along the seashore and Dessalines was charmed; the coast, picturesque rather than bold, seemed that of England with the rude features eliminated. The houses he found attractive; bright, cheerful, of artistic if incorrect architecture. It was a clear, cool day in September and many people were abroad. Dessalines found the whole scene brightly fascinating.
Presently they entered the driveway of handsome grounds, limited in extent, unlike an English country house of similar pretensions, which would have been surrounded by a park, gardens; quite different from this little palace with its few containing acres which were unfenced, open lawn stretching to the highway with what seemed to the Haytian an almost shocking publicity.
As the carriage drew up beneath the porte-cochère a butler ushered him in. A rustle greeted his expectant ear and he turned to see Virginia.
"I am very glad to see you, Count Dessalines." She gave him her hand over which he bowed. "Mrs. Cromwell is paying visits; she will soon return."
"I am grateful for your goodness in permitting me to call, Miss Moultrie. I am the bearer of many messages from, the Maltbys; you can imagine them; it is unnecessary to go into details."
"You left them all well?" asked Virginia.
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