agony.

I burned with impatience to question Reigart about the affairs of the
plantation,--about Eugenie and Aurore. I could not,--we were not alone.
The landlord of the hotel and a negro attendant had entered the room,
and were assisting the doctor in his operations. I could not trust
myself to speak on such a subject in their presence. I was forced to
nurse my impatience until all was over, and both landlord and servant
had left us.

"Now, doctor, this news of Mademoiselle Besancon?"

"Do _you_ not know all?"

"Only what I have heard this moment from those gossips outside the
room."

I detailed to Reigart the remarks that had been made.

"Really I thought you must have been acquainted with the whole matter.
I had fancied that to be the cause of your long absence to-day; though I
did not even conjecture how you might be engaged in the matter."

"I know nothing more than what I have thus accidentally overheard. For
heaven's sake tell me all! Is it true?"

"Substantially true, I grieve to say."

"Poor Eugenie!"

"The estate was heavily mortgaged to Gayarre. I have long suspected
this, and fear there has been some foul play. Gayarre has foreclosed
the mortgage, and, indeed, it is said, is already in possession.
Everything is now his."

"Everything?"

"Everything upon the plantation."

"The slaves?"

"Certainly."

"All--all--and--and--Aurore?"

I hesitated as I put the interrogatory, Reigart had no knowledge of my
attachment to Aurore.

"The quadroon girl, you mean?--of course, she with the others. She is
but a slave like the rest. She will be sold."

"_But a slave! sold with the rest_!"

This reflection was not uttered aloud.

I cannot describe the tumult of my feelings as I listened. The blood
was boiling within my veins, and I could scarce restrain myself from
some wild expression. I strove to the utmost to hide my thoughts, but
scarce succeeded; for I noticed that the usually cold eye of Reigart was
kindled in surprise at my manner. If he divined my secret he was
generous, for he asked no explanation.

"The slaves are all to be sold then?" I faltered out.

"No doubt,--everything will be sold,--that is the law in such cases. It
is likely Gayarre will buy in the whole estate, as the plantation lies
contiguous to his own."

"Gayarre! villain! oh! And Mademoiselle Besancon, what will become of
her? Has she no friends?"

"I have heard something of an aunt who has some, thou