CHAPTER III.

by Alexandre Dumas

　　HE was, as my guide had told me, a young man of about twenty-one yearsof age, with black hair and eyes, his face browned by the sun, ratherunder than over the average height, but remarkably well-proportioned.In his haste to welcome me he had come up, just as he was, in hisriding-costume, which was composed of a redingote of green cloth, towhich a cartridge-pouch gave a somewhat military air, grey pantaloonswith leather let in on the inner side of the legs, boots and spurs.His head-dress was a cap similar to those worn by our Chasseursd'Afrique.From either side of his pouch there hung a gourd and a pistol, and hecarried an English carbine in addition.Notwithstanding the youthful appearance of my host, whose upper lipwas as yet scarcely shaded by a moustache, he wore an air ofindependence and resolution, which struck me very forcibly.Here was a man fitted for strife, and accustomed to live in the midstof danger, but without despising it, grave because he was solitary,calm because he was strong.With a single glance he took me all in, my luggage, my arms, the dressI had just taken off, and that which I had just donned.His glance was as rapid and as sure as that of a man whose very lifemay depend upon a hasty survey of his surroundings."I trust you will excuse me if I disturb you," he said; "but I comewith good intentions. I wish to see if you require anything. I amalways somewhat uneasy when any of you gentlemen from the continentpay us a visit, for we are still so uncivilized, we Corsicans, that itis really with fear and trembling that we exercise, particularly toFrenchmen, our own hospitality, which will, I fear, soon be the onlything that will remain to us.""You have no reason to fear," I replied; "it would be difficult to saywhat more a traveller can require beyond what Madame de Franchi hassupplied. Besides," I continued, glancing round the apartment, "I mustconfess I do not perceive any of the want of civilization you speak ofso frankly, and were it not for the charming prospect from thosewindows, I should fancy myself in an apartment in the Chausseed'Antin.""Yes," returned the young man, "it is rather a mania with my poorbrother Louis; he is so fond of living _à la Française;_ but I verymuch doubt whether, when he leaves Paris, the poor attempt atcivilization here will appear to him sufficient on his return home asit formerly did.""Has your brother been long away from Corsica?" I inquired."For the last ten months.""You expect him back soon?""Oh, not for three or four years.""That is a very long separation for two brothers, who probably werenever parted before.""Yes, and particularly if they love each other as we do.""No doubt he will come to see you before he finishes his studies?""Probably; he has promised us so much, at least.""In any case, nothing need prevent you from paying him a visit?""No, I never leave Corsica."There was in his tone, as he made this reply, that love of countrywhich astonishes the rest of the universe.I smiled."It appears strange to you," he said, smiling in his turn, "when Itell you that I do not wish to leave a miserable country like ours;but you must know that I am as much a growth of the island as the oakor the laurel; the air I breathe must be impregnated with the odoursof the sea and of the mountains. I must have torrents to cross, rocksto scale, forests to explore. I must have space; liberty is necessaryto me, and if you were to take me to live in a town I believe I shoulddie.""But how is it there is such a great difference between you and yourbrother in this respect?""And you would add with so great a physical resemblance, if you knewhim.""Are you, then, so very much alike?""So much so, that when we were children our parents were obliged tosew a distinguishing mark upon our clothes.""And as you grew up?" I suggested."As we grew up our habits caused a very slight change in ourappearance, that is all. Always in a study, poring over books anddrawings, my brother grew somewhat pale, while I, being always in theopen air, became bronzed, as you see.""I hope," I said, "that you will permit me to judge of thisresemblance, and if you have any commission for Monsieur Louis, youwill charge me with it.""Yes, certainly, with great pleasure, if you will be so kind. Now,will you excuse me? I see you are more advanced in your toilet than I,and supper will be ready in a quarter of an hour.""You surely need not trouble to change on my account.""You must not reproach me with this, for you have yourself set me theexample; but, in any case, I am now in a riding dress, and must changeit for a mountaineer's costume, as, after supper, I have to make anexcursion in which boots and spurs would only serve to hinder me.""You are going out after supper, then?" I asked."Yes," he replied, "to a rendezvous."I smiled."Ah, not in the sense you understand it--this is a matter ofbusiness.""Do you think me so presumptuous as to believe I have a right to yourconscience?""Why not? One should live so as to be able to proclaim what one hasdone. I never had a mistress, and I never shall have one. If mybrother should marry, and have children, it is probable that I shallnever take a wife. If, on the contrary, he does not marry, perhaps Ishall, so as to prevent our race from becoming extinct. Did I not tellyou," he added, laughing, "that I am a regular savage, and had comeinto the world a hundred years too late? But I continue to chatterhere like a crow, and I shall not be ready by the time supper is onthe table.""But cannot we continue the conversation?" I said. "Your chamber, Ibelieve, is opposite, and we can talk through the open doors.""We can do better than that; you can come into my room while I dress.You are a judge of arms, I fancy. Well, then, you shall look at mine.There are some there which are valuable--from an historical point ofview, I mean."