106 courame'. 



guise the thoughts, and which her mother had taught her from in- 

 fancy, was cherished. 



It is remarkable that Courame's education, far from extinguishing 

 in her the love of her country, had only strengthened this affection, by 

 developing all the energies of her mind. At this particular time there 

 was a project on foot for civilizing the savages of Guiana, and the 

 French government was made acquainted with it. Now Courame 

 read with extreme avidity every thing which was published relative to 

 the wandering nation of the Galibis, the industry of the Noragues, 

 their habits, pastimes and other characteristics. Her imagination was 

 stimulated by numberless recitals tending to foster her darling wish, 

 which was to end her days amidst the scenes that had cradled her. 

 " Cherished country ! country where I first saw the day !" cried she, 

 " who can restore me thy charms, or what can excite the happiness 

 thou bestowest on me ? Who can think of thee without regretting 

 thee, without longing to behold thee again ?" Madame de St. 

 Croix had long perceived that Courame was not happy, she courted 

 solitude, and though in the midst of so many who loved her, she 

 seemed like a creature of another species. None knew whence to at- 

 tribute this melancholy ; on her own part Courame dared not tell the 

 cause of her grief. She feared to be thought ungrateful, and to afflict 

 her benefactress. Madame de St. Croix imagined sometimes that 

 an irresistible sentiment of love perhaps had taken possession of her 

 heart, for she was then fifteen years old ; and when the mind is oc- 

 cupied by one thought, that thought monopolizes every other. Be- 

 sides, she saw that the praises lavished on her beauty fell insensibly 

 on her ear. She endeavoured to console her by affectionate endear- 

 ments. Vain attempt I of what value are the caresses of an adoptive 

 mother, when we embrace, in imagination, her who has born us in 

 her bosom, who has nourished us from her body ! 



The only thing which lessened Courame's regrets was reading 

 some historical works which Madame de St. Croix had kindly 

 given her ; for her benefactress was possessed of a highly cultivated 

 taste, and looked upon books as friendly consolers which prevented 

 the mind from dwelling too intently upon sad impressions. Courame 

 profited by this resource, as well as by the conversation of Dr. Va- 

 layer, a worthy old man, who for more than forty years had been the 

 idol of the colony. He was as amiable as enlightened ; was the phy- 

 sician of the soul, as well as of the body. He had penetrated the se- 

 cret thoughts of Courame ; but he carefully concealed from her his 

 knowledge. He had ever a gentle and delicate manner in his 



