Belle-Etoile listened attentively to this conversation. It is impossible to describe her delight at the hope she was thereby led to entertain that she was of some illustrious race; for, though she had always respected those whom she had considered her parents, she could not help feeling some pain at being the daughter of a Corsair; but what still more enchanted her was, the thought that Cheri might not be her brother. She was all impatience to talk to him about it, and to relate to the whole party the extrardinary adventure she had become acquainted with.
She mounted an Isabella-coloured horse;[1] the black mane of which was dressed with rows of diamonds; for she had only to pass a comb once through her hair, to obtain jewels enough to decorate an entire hunting equipage. The green velvet housings of her steed were covered with diamonds and embroidered with rubies. She was quickly in the saddle, and away to the forest in search of her brothers. The sound of horns and hounds sufficiently indicated their whereabouts, and she joined them in a few minutes. At the first sight of her, Cheri left the chase and advanced to meet her much quicker than the others. "What an agreeable surprise, Belle-Etoile!" he cried; "you at length out hunting; who could not be diverted for an instant from the pleasure you derive from music, and the sciences, which you make your study."
"I have so much to tell you," replied she, "that wishing to see you alone, I came to seek you." "Alas, sister!" said he sighing, "what would you with me to-day? It appears to me, you long ago determined not to require anything at my hands." She blushed, and casting down her eyes, sat upon her horse, sad and thoughtful, without replying to him. At length her two brothers came up, she roused herself at sight of them, as though she had been in a deep sleep, and jumped to the ground, leading the way; they all followed her, and when she reached the middle of a little piece of mossy ground, shaded by trees, "Sit down here," said she, "and learn what I have just heard." She related to them exactly the conversation the Corsair had with his wife, and how it appeared that they were not their children. Nothing could exceed the surprise of the three Princes; they consulted among
- ↑ Dun-coloured, see note, page 222.
