Page:Fairytales00auln.djvu/636

574 themselves what they ought to do. One was for setting off without saying anything; the other, was for remaining; and the third, wished to depart, and to say so. The first maintained, that his was the surest way, because the money the Corsair and his wife made by combing them, would induce them to retain them. The other replied, it would be well to quit them, if they knew what place to fix upon to go to, and what would be their condition; but to be called vagrants in the world was not an agreeable thing: the last added, that it would be very ungrateful to abandon their preservers, without their consent; but that it would be equally stupid to wish to remain longer with them in the middle of a forest, where they could not learn who they were; and that, therefore, the best thing would be to speak to them, and make them consent to their departure. They all approved of this advice, and immediately mounted their horses to seek the Corsair and Corsine.

Cheri's heart was flattered by all that hope could suggest most agreeable, to console an afflicted lover; his love enabled him to divine some portion of the future; he did not believe he was Belle-Etoile's brother: his long-constrained passion finding some little vent inspired him with a thousand tender thoughts which charmed him. They accosted the Corsair and Corsine with looks of mingled joy and anxiety. "We do not come," said Petit-Soleil, (for he was spokesman,) to deny the affection, and gratitude, and the respect we owe you: although we are informed of the way in which you found us at sea, and that you are neither our father nor mother, your compassion in saving us, the excellent education you have given us, the care and kindness you have manifested, are such indisputable obligations, that nothing in the world can free us from our duty to you. We come, then, to repeat to you our sincere thanks, to entreat you to relate to us the particulars of so extraordinary an incident, and to counsel us, so that, acting upon your sage advice, we should have nothing wherewith to reproach ourselves."

The Corsair and Corsine were much surprised at the discovery of what they had so carefully concealed. "You have been informed too truly," said the Corsair, "and we cannot hide from you, that you are indeed not our children, and that fortune alone threw you into our hand. We have no insight as to your birth, but the jewels which were in your cradle