lously polite and attentive, but he was as cold
and formal as she could desire. She never ventured upon the promenade
deck, unless her faithful Hatchie was near.

The mulatto, with all his watchfulness, was unable to discover any
indications of treachery on the part of De Guy, though an apparently
confidential conversation with the captain of the steamer, on the night
before their arrival at New Orleans, had rather an unfavorable
appearance.

It was late at night when the Montezuma arrived at New Orleans. The
steamer quietly took her berth at the levee, so that few of the
passengers took any notice of their arrival, and contentedly turned
over in their berths to wait the advent of the coming day.

Hatchie, who occupied a room near the boiler deck, had been awakened by
the confusion of making fast the steamer. His watchful vigil over the
safety of his mistress did not permit him to slumber while the
possibility of danger existed. He had, therefore, risen; but scarcely
had he completed his dress, when the door of his room was suddenly
opened, and himself violently seized by two stout men. The attack had
been so sudden, and the movements of the assailants so well directed,
that resistance was hopeless. Before he fully realized the presence of
his foes, his hands were pinioned behind him. In this condition, without
knowing why or by whom he was assailed, he was hurried away to the
calaboose.

At an early hour in the morning carriages and drays began to assemble on
the levee, and all the noise and bustle of landing passengers, baggage
and freight, commenced.

Emily Dumont, as soon as it was fairly light, rose from her couch, and
made her preparations to leave the steamer. Fully equipped for her
journey to Bellevue, she entered the cabin, where De Guy soon presented
himself.

"Where is Hatchie?" was the first question she asked; for Hatchie had
always been on the spot whenever and wherever she needed his services.

"I have taken the liberty to send him up to the St. Charles with your
luggage. You will, of course, breakfast there," said the attorney,
blandly.

"Such was not my intention," replied she, as a cold tremor--she knew not
why--agitated her.

"I am sorry to have mistaken your purpose; the ride to Bellevue is a
long one to take without any refreshment."

"I mind it not; my haste is too great to admit of any delay."

"I sent by your servant to order an early breakfast, and a carriage at
seven o'clock."