t,
I found it thronged with negroes. Even then, even when I was amongst
them, not one turned or paid the least regard to my arrival. They had
eyes and ears for but one person: a woman, richly and tastefully
attired; of elegant carriage, and a musical speech; not so much old in
years, as worn and marred by self-indulgence: her face, which was still
attractive, stamped with the most cruel passions, her eye burning with
the greed of evil. It was not from her appearance, I believe, but from
some emanation of her soul, that I recoiled in a kind of fainting
terror; as we hear of plants that blight and snakes that fascinate, the
woman shocked and daunted me. But I was of a brave nature; trod the
weakness down; and forcing my way through the slaves, who fell back
before me in embarrassment, as though in the presence of rival
mistresses, I asked, in imperious tones: "Who is this person?"

A slave girl, to whom I had been kind, whispered in my ear to have a
care, for that was Madam Mendizabal; but the name was new to me.

In the meanwhile the woman, applying a pair of glasses to her eyes,
studied me with insolent particularity from head to foot.

"Young woman," said she at last, "I have had a great experience in
refractory servants, and take a pride in breaking them. You really tempt
me; and if I had not other affairs, and these of more importance, on my
hand, I should certainly buy you at your father's sale."

"Madam----" I began, but my voice failed me.

"Is it possible that you do not know your position?" she returned, with
a hateful laugh. "How comical! Positively, I must buy her.
Accomplishments, I suppose?" she added, turning to the servants.

Several assured her that the young mistress had been brought up like
any lady, for so it seemed in their inexperience.

"She would do very well for my place of business in Havana," said Senora
Mendizabal, once more studying me through her glasses; "and I should
take a pleasure," she pursued, more directly addressing myself, "in
bringing you acquainted with a whip." And she smiled at me with a
savoury lust of cruelty upon her face.

At this, I found expression. Calling by name upon the servants, I bade
them turn this woman from the house, fetch her to the boat, and set her
back upon the mainland. But with one voice they protested that they
durst not obey, coming close about me, pleading and beseeching me to be
more wise; and when I insisted, rising higher in passion and speakin