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 "You are too kind, Toto, dear comrade," answered Dessalines; "but I am promised to the Fouchères."

"Ah!" Miragoâne sucked in his breath in a little gasp. "You are fortunate, Aristide. La Fouchère has returned in greater beauty than ever. She spoke of you when I saw her one night." His manner grew furtive; then suddenly his bonhomie returned. He slapped Dessalines between the shoulders. "You have made an impression, you handsome rascal! Madam is interested in you; I think that you might find her kind." He sucked in his saliva thirstily. "La-la, I envy you!"

"You forget, my dear Toto, that I am not a gay fellow like yourself; besides, we have serious work to do."

"There is always time for love! But you are right, Dessalines. Must you then go up to La Coupe to-night?"

"Yes, but first let us go over our plans. Are we quite safe from eavesdroppers?"

"Entirely," replied Miragoane crisply. He was a natural soldier and loved things military. "One moment; I will get my list and we will go over the thing in detail."

Their conference lasted until an hour before sunset. Miragoâne confirmed the news given to Dessalines by Calisthène. He was delighted with the thoroughness of Dessalines' preparations; praised Rosenthal highly; spoke of him as the only leblanc that he had ever met who was not at least half mad; promised to be ready to strike and to strike hard when the time came. It had been arranged that Dessalines should communicate with 221