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Updated: May 25, 2025
At sight of these horsemen my heart leaped with joy, for among the foremost I beheld the calm, resolute face of Edward Reigart. Behind him rode the sheriff of the parish, followed by a "posse" of about a dozen men among whom I recognised several of the most respectable planters of the neighbourhood.
The former is, in nine cases out of ten, a man of proved courage and action; and Sheriff Hickman, with whom my quasi judges had to deal, was no exception to this rule. His "posse," moreover, hurriedly collected by my friend Reigart, chanced to have among their number several men of a similar stamp.
There is balm in the counsel of a kind companion. My sorrow had been long pent up within my own bosom, and yearned to find expression. Stranger among strangers, I had no one to share it with me. Even to the good Reigart I had not confessed myself. With the exception of Aurore herself, Eugenie poor Eugenie was alone mistress of my secret. Would that she of all had never known it!
These observations had served to amuse me while I was awaiting the arrival of Reigart, though, up to a certain point, I took but little interest in them. A remark that now reached my ears, however, suddenly changed the nature of my thoughts. It was this: "He's after Miss Besancon, they say." I was now interested. I stepped to the door, and, placing my ear close to the keyhole, listened.
Fate will have its victims. Poor Eugenie! God be merciful to thee! Oh, that I could steep thy heart in the waters of Lethe! And Reigart?
I ran as fast as my limbs would carry me; but the shock of terror I had experienced seemed to have enfeebled my whole frame, and my knees knocked against each other as I went. On I struggled, regardless of my weakness, regardless of everything but the thought of reaching Bringiers and Reigart.
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.
Reigart would surely know how to extract the poison, or apply some antidote? I kept on with bounding heart and straining eyes on, for the bright meteor before me. The blue spot grew larger other pieces of sky appeared the forest grew thinner as I advanced I was drawing nearer to its verge. The ground became firmer and drier at every step, and the timber of a lighter growth.
"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.
In spite of the noisy rabble that surrounded me, I read in the serene, firm look of the magistrate the determination to show fair play. I was no longer uneasy. On the way, Reigart had told me to be of good cheer. He had whispered something about "strange developments to be made;" but I had not fully heard him, and was at a loss to comprehend what he meant.
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