flounces, frills, and ribbons. Most of these appeared indifferent
to their future. Some even seemed happy--laughing and chatting gaily to
each other, or occasionally exchanging a light word with one of the
"white folks." A change of masters could not be such a terrible idea,
after the usage they had lately had. Some of them rather anticipated
such an event with hopeful pleasure. These were the dandy young men,
and the yellow belles of the plantation. They would, perhaps, be
allowed to remain in that great city, of which they had so often heard--
perhaps a brighter future was before them. Dark must it be to be darker
than their proximate past.

I glanced over the different groups, but my eyes rested not long upon
them. A glance was enough to satisfy me that _she_ was not there.
There was no danger of mistaking any one of those forms or faces for
that of Aurore. She was not there, Thank Heaven! I was spared the
humiliation of seeing her in such a crowd! She was, no doubt, near at
hand and would be brought in when her turn came.

I could ill brook the thought of seeing her exposed to the rude and
insulting glances--perhaps insulting speeches--of which she might be the
object. And yet that ordeal was in store for me.

I did not discover myself to the slaves. I knew their impulsive
natures, and that a scene would be the result. I should be the
recipient of their salutations and entreaties, uttered loud enough to
draw the attention of all upon me.

To avoid this, I took my station behind one of the groups of white men
that screened me from their notice, and kept my eyes fixed upon the
entrance, watching for D'Hauteville. In him now lay my last and only
hope.

I could not help noting the individuals who passed out and in. Of
course they were all of my own sex, but of every variety. There was the
regular "negro-trader," a tall lathy fellow, with harsh horse-dealer
features, careless dress, loose coat, slouching broad-brimmed hat,
coarse boots, and painted quirt of raw hide,--the "cowskin,"--fit emblem
of his calling.

In strong contrast to him was the elegantly-attired Creole, in coat of
claret or blue, full-dress, with gold buttons, plated pantaloons, gaiter
"bootees," laced shirt, and diamond studs.

An older variety of the same might be seen in trousers of buff, nankeen
jacket of the same material, and hat of Manilla or Panama set over his
short-cropped snow-white hair.

The American merchant from