e saw
something in the countenance of the young man that told her he was
sincere, and she did not wish to hurt his feelings.

"Why persist in your wish to talk with me?" she said, as he again
advanced and spoke to her.

"I wish to purchase you and make you happy," returned he.

"But I am not for sale now," she replied. "My present mistress will not
sell me, and if you wished to do so ever so much you could not."

"Then," said he, "if I cannot buy you, when the steamer reaches Mobile,
fly with me, and you shall be free."

"I cannot do it," said Clotelle; and she was just leaving the stranger
when he took from his pocket a piece of paper and thrust it into her
hand.

After returning to her room, she unfolded the paper, and found, to her
utter astonishment that it contained a one hundred dollar note on the
Bank of the United States. The first impulse of the girl was to return
the paper and its contents immediately to the giver, but examining the
paper more closely, she saw in faint pencil-marks, "Remember this is
from one who loves you." Another thought was to give it to her mistress,
and she returned to the saloon for that purpose; but on finding Mrs.
Taylor engaged in conversation with some ladies, she did not deem it
proper to interrupt her.

Again, therefore, Clotelle seated herself by the window, and again the
stranger presented himself. She immediately took the paper from her
pocket, and handed it to him; but he declined taking it, saying,--

"No, keep it; it may be of some service to you when I am far away."

"Would that I could understand you," said the slave.

"Believe that I am sincere, and then you will understand me," returned
the young man. "Would you rather be a slave than be free?" inquired he,
with tears that glistened in the rays of the moon.

"No," said she, "I want my freedom, but I must live a virtuous life."

"Then, if you would be free and happy, go with me. We shall be in Mobile
in two hours, and when the passengers are going on shore, you take my
arm. Have your face covered with a veil, and you will not be observed.
We will take passage immediately for France; you can pass as my sister,
and I pledge you my honor that I will marry you as soon as we arrive in
France."

This solemn promise, coupled with what had previously been said, gave
Clotelle confidence in the man, and she instantly determined to go with
him. "But then," thought she, "what if I should be detected? I would be
foreve