It was not, therefore, from any feeling of jealousy that M. de Fontanges had combated her resolution; but, as we have before observed, from a conviction that he was wanting in his duty, when he did not report the arrival of Newton at the plantation.  The wish of Madame de Fontanges to detain Newton was, as she had declared, a caprice on her part, which had entered her head, to amuse herself by teaching him French.  It is true that had not Newton been remarkably prepossessing in his appearance, the idea would in all probability have never been conceived; but, observing that he was much above the common class, and wishing to relieve the general monotony of her life by anything which would create amusement, she had formed the idea, which, when combated by her husband, was immediately strengthened to a resolution.

Of this Newton received the benefit.  An excellent dinner or rather supper with M. de Fontanges, a comfortable bed in a room supplied with all that convenience or luxury could demand, enabled him to pass a very different night from those which we have lately described.

About twelve o’clock the ensuing day, Newton was summoned by one of the slave girls to the boudoir of Madame de Fontanges.  He found her on the ottoman, as before.  Newton, who had been operated upon by a black barber, and was dressed in the habiliments of M. de Fontanges, made a much more respectable appearance than upon his former introduction.

“Bon jour, monsieur,” said the lady.

Newton bowed respectfully.

“Comment vous appelez-vous?”

Newton, not understanding, answered with another bow.

“Le jeune homme n’entends pas, madame,” observed Mimi.

“Que c’est ennuyant.  Monsieur,” said Madame Fontanges, pointing to herself, “moi,—­Madame de Fontanges:  vous?” pointing to him.

“Newton Forster.”

“Nu-tong Fasta—­ah, c’est bon; cela commence,” said the lady.  “Allons, mes enfans, repetez-lui tous vos noms.”

“Moi—­Mimi,” said the girl bearing that name, going up to Newton, and pointing to herself.

“Mimi,” repeated Newton, with a smile and nod of his head.

“Moi—­Charlotte.”

“Moi—­Louise.”

“Moi—­Celeste.”

“Moi—­Nina.”

“Moi—­Caroline.”

“Moi—­Manchette.”

“Et moi—­Cupidon,” finished the little black boy, running up, and then retreating as fast back into his corner.

Newton repeated all the names, as the individuals respectively introduced themselves to him.  Then there was a pause, during which, at the desire of Madame de Fontanges, Newton was offered a chair, and sat down.

“Allons, dites-lui les noms de toute la garniture,” said Madame de Fontanges to her attendants.

“Oui, madame,” said Mimi, going up to Newton, and, pointing to the fan in her hand,—­“eventail.”

“Eventail,” repeated Newton, who began to be amused, and who now repeated every French word after them.