“An’ I tinks a heap o’ ye, Tulee.  Ye knows a heap more dan mos’ niggers,” was Tom’s responsive compliment.  In his eyes Tulee was in fact a highly accomplished person; for though she could neither read nor write, she had caught the manners and speech of white people, by living almost exclusively with them, and she was, by habit, as familiar with French as English, beside having a little smattering of Spanish.  To have his ingenuity praised by her operated as a fillip upon his vanity, and he inwardly resolved to run the risk of a flogging, rather than fail to do her bidding.  He was also most loyal in the service of Rosa, whose beauty and kindliness had won his heart, before his sympathy had been called out by her misfortunes.  But none of them foresaw what important consequences would result from his mission.

The first day he was in New Orleans, he found no hour when he could be absent without the liability of being called for by his master.  The next day Mr. Bruteman dined with his master, and Tom was in attendance upon the table.  Their conversation was at first about cotton crops, the prices of negroes, and other business matters, to which Tom paid little attention.  But a few minutes afterward his ears were wide open.

“I suppose you came prepared to pay that debt you owe me,” said Mr. Bruteman.

“I am obliged to ask an extension of your indulgence,” replied Mr. Fitzgerald.  “It is not in my power to raise that sum just now.”

“How is that possible,” inquired Mr. Bruteman, “when you have married the daughter of a Boston nabob?”

“The close old Yankee keeps hold of most of his money while he lives,” rejoined his companion; “and Mrs. Fitzgerald has expensive tastes to be gratified.”

“And do you expect me to wait till the old Yankee dies?” asked Mr. Bruteman.  “Gentlemen generally consider themselves bound to be prompt in paying debts of honor.”

“I’ll pay you as soon as I can.  What the devil can you ask more?” exclaimed Fitzgerald.  “It seems to me it’s not the part of a gentleman to play the dun so continually.”

They had already drank pretty freely; but Mr. Bruteman took up a bottle, and said, “Let us drink another glass to the speedy replenishing of your purse.”  They poured full bumpers, touched glasses, and drank the contents.

There was a little pause, during which Mr. Bruteman sat twirling his glass between thumb and finger, with looks directed toward his companion.  All at once he said, “Fitzgerald, did you ever find those handsome octoroon girls?”

“What octoroon girls?” inquired the other.

“O, you disremember them, do you?” rejoined he.  “I mean how did that bargain turn out that you made with Royal’s creditors?  You seemed to have small chance of finding the girls; unless, indeed, you hid them away first, for the purpose of buying them for less than half they would have brought to the creditors,—­which, of course, is not to be supposed, because no gentleman would do such a thing.”