Page 55 - Princess Belle-Etoile and Prince Cherie

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
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