visit, I was in the
saddle, and heading towards the plantation Besancon.

As I rode out of the village I noticed that men regarded me with glances
that bespoke an unusual interest.

"My affair with the overseer is already known," thought I. "No doubt
the negroes have spread the report of it. Such matters soon become
public."

I was unpleasantly impressed with an idea that the expression on
people's faces was anything but a friendly one. Had I committed an
unpopular act in protecting myself? Usually the conqueror in such an
encounter is rather popular than otherwise, in the chivalric land of
Louisiana. Why, then, did men look scowling upon me? What had I done
to merit reproach? I had "whipped" a rude fellow, whom men esteemed a
"bully;" and in self-defence had I acted. The act should have gained me
applause, according to the code of the country. Why then,--ha! stay! I
had interfered between _white_ and _black_. I had _protected a slave
from punishment_. Perhaps that might account for the disagreeable
expression I had observed!

I could just guess at another cause, of a very different and somewhat
ludicrous character. It had got rumoured abroad that I "was upon good
terms with Mademoiselle Besancon," and that it was not unlikely that one
of these fine days the adventurer, whom nobody knew anything about,
would carry off the rich plantress!

There is no part of the world where such a _bonne fortune_ is not
regarded with envy. The United States is no exception to the rule; and
I had reason to know that on account of this absurd rumour I was not
very favourably regarded by some of the young planters and dandy
storekeepers who loitered about the streets of Bringiers.

I rode on without heeding the "black looks" that were cast upon me, and
indeed soon ceased thinking of them. My mind was too full of anxiety
about the approaching interview to be impressed with minor cares.

Of course Eugenie would have heard all about the affair of yesterday.
What would be her feelings in relation to it? I felt certain that this
ruffian was forced upon, her by Gayarre. She would have no sympathy
with _him_. The question was, would she have the courage--nay, the
_power_ to discharge him from her service? Even on hearing _who_ he
was? It was doubtful enough!

I was overwhelmed with sympathy for this poor girl. I felt satisfied
that Gayarre must be her creditor to a large amount, and in that way had
her in his power.