"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, though not much,
property. She lives in the city. It is likely that Mademoiselle will
live with her in future. I believe the aunt has no children of her own,
and Eugenie will inherit. This, however, I cannot vouch for. I know it
only as a rumour."
Reigart spoke these words in a cautious and reserved manner. I noticed
something peculiar in the tone in which he uttered them; but I knew his
reason for being cautious. He was under a mistaken impression as to the
feelings with which I regarded Eugenie! I did not undeceive him.
"Poor Eugenie! a double sorrow,--no wonder at the change I had observed
of late,--no wonder she appeared sad!"
All this was but my own silent reflections.
"Doctor!" said I, elevating my voice; "I must go to the plantation."
"Not to-night!"
"To-night,--now!"
"My dear Mr E., you must not."
"Why?"
"It is impossible,--I cannot permit it,--you will have a fever; it may
cost you your life!"
"But--"
"I cannot hear you. I assure you, you are now on the verge of a fever.
You must remain in your room--at least, until to-morrow. Perhaps then
you may go out with safety. Now it is impossible."
I was compelled to acquiesce, though I am not certain but that had I
taken my own way it would have been better for my "fever." Within me
was a _cause of fever_ much stronger than any exposure to the night air.
My throbbing heart and wildly-coursing blood soon acted upon my brain.
"Aurore the slave of Gayarre! Ha! ha! ha! His slave! Gayarre!
Aurore! ha! ha! ha! Is it his throat I clutch? ha, no! It is the
serpent! here--help--help! Water! water! I am choking. No, Gayarre
is! I have him now! Again it is the serpent! O God! it coils around
my throat--it strangles me! Help! Aurore! lovely Aurore! do not yield
to him!"
"I will die rather than yield!"
"I thought so, noble girl! I come to release you! How she struggles in
his grasp! Fiend! off--off, fiend! Aurore, you are free--free! Angels
of heaven!"
Such was my dream,--the dream of a fevered brain.