't got any use for her, Lord knows. There ain't much
love lost between us."

"Well, I reckon she knows they ain't anybody born, good enough fur
her?" he said, thinking of those engagements that she had shattered.

"What was David doing?" Fanny asked abruptly.

"Writin' lettas at the sto'."

"Did he say when he was coming?"

"No."

"Do you guess he'll come pretty soon?"

"No, I reckon not fur a good w'ile."

"Is Melicent with Mrs. Laferm?"

"No; she's packin' her things."

"I guess I'll go sit with Mrs. Laferm, d'you think she'll mind?"

"No, she'll be glad to have you."

Fanny crossed over to go join Therese. She liked to be with her when
there was no danger of interruption from Melicent, and Gregoire went
wandering aimlessly about the plantation.

He staked great hopes on what the night might bring for him. She would
melt, perhaps, to the extent of a smile or one of her old glances. He
was almost cheerful when he seated himself at table; only he and his
aunt and Melicent. He had never seen her look so handsome as now, in a
woolen gown that she had not worn before, of warm rich tint, that
brought out a certain regal splendor that he had not suspected in her.
A something that she seemed to have held in reserve till this final
moment. But she had nothing for him--nothing. All her conversation was
addressed to Therese; and she hurried away from table at the close of
the meal, under pretext of completing her arrangements for departure.

"Doesn't she mean to speak to me?" he asked fiercely of Therese.

"Oh, Gregoire, I see so much trouble around me; so many sad mistakes,
and I feel so powerless to right them; as if my hands were tied. I
can't help you in this; not now. But let me help you in other ways.
Will you listen to me?"

"If you want to help me, Aunt," he said stabbing his fork into a piece
of bread before him, "go and ask her if she doesn't mean to talk to
me: if she won't come out on the gallery a minute."

"Gregoire wants to know if you won't go out and speak to him a moment,
Melicent," said Therese entering the girl's room. "Do as you wish, of
course. But remember you are going away to-morrow; you'll likely never
see him again. A friendly word from you now, may do more good than you
imagine. I believe he's as unhappy at this moment as a creature can
be!"

Melicent looked at her horrified. "I don't understand you at all, Mrs.
Lafirme. Think what he's done; murdered a defenseless man! How can