courage.
Gayarre no doubt had a use for him, else he would not have been there.

He knew me now, and was not likely soon to forget me. Would he seek
revenge? Beyond doubt he would, but I fancied it would be by some base
underhand means. I had no fear that he would again attack me openly, at
least by himself. I felt quite sure that I had conquered, and
encowardiced him. I had encountered his like before. I know that his
courage was not of that character to outlive defeat. It was the courage
of the bravo.

I had no fear of an open attack. All I had to apprehend was some,
secret revenge, or perhaps the law!

You will wonder that any thought or dread of the latter should have
occurred to me: but it did; and I had my reasons.

The knowledge of Gayarre's designs, the detection of his villainous
purpose with Aurore, and my rencontre with Larkin, had brought matters
to a crisis. I was filled with anxiety, and convinced of the necessity
of a speedy interview with Mademoiselle, in relation to what was nearest
to my heart, _the purchase of the quadroon_. There was no reason why a
single hour should be wasted, now that Aurore and I understood each
other, and had, in fact, _betrothed_ ourselves.

I even thought of riding back at once, and had turned my horse for the
purpose. I hesitated. My resolution wavered. I wheeled round again,
and kept on to Bringiers, with the determination to return to the
plantation at an early hour in the morning.

I entered the village and proceeded straight to the hotel. On my table
I found a letter containing a cheque for two hundred pounds on the
Bringiers bank. It was from my banking agent in New Orleans, who had
received it from England. The letter also contained the information
that five hundred more would reach me in a few days. The sum received
was a pleasant relief, and would enable me to discharge my pecuniary
obligations to Reigart; which in the next hour I had the pleasure of
doing.

I passed a night of great anxiety,--almost a sleepless night. No
wonder. To-morrow was to be a crisis. For me, happiness or misery was
in the womb of to-morrow. A thousand hopes and fears hung suspended on
the result of my interview with Eugenie Besancon. I actually looked
forward to this interview with more anxiety than I had done but a few
hours ago to that with Aurore! Perhaps, because I had less confidence
in a favourable result.

As early as etiquette would allow of a morning