Chapter XXIV

I was aware that I had accepted a heavy responsibility in adopting this refractory brother, the more so because I took my oath very seriously.

But fate separated us on the second day following, and soon we were half the world apart.

Yves set sail for the Atlantic, and I left for the Levant, for Stamboul.

It was not until fifteen months later, in May, 1877, that we met again on board the _Médée_, which was cruising between India and China.