While she was thus occupied, Tulee came in hastily to say that a stranger gentleman was coming toward the house.  Such an event in that lonely place produced general excitement, and some consternation.  Rosa at once drew her curtain and bolted the door.  But Tulee soon came rapping gently, saying, “It’s only I, Missy Rosy.”  As the door partially opened, she said, “It’s a friend Madame has sent ye.”  Rosa, stepping forward, recognized Mr. Duroy, the cousin in whose clothes Madame had escaped with them from New Orleans.  She was very slightly acquainted with him, but it was such a comfort to see any one who knew of the old times that she could hardly refrain from throwing herself on his neck and bursting into tears.  As she grasped his hand with a close pressure, he felt the thinness of her emaciated fingers.  The paleness of her cheeks, and the saddened expression of her large eyes, excited his compassion.  He was too polite to express it in words, but it was signified by the deference of his manner and the extreme gentleness of his tones.  He talked of Madame’s anxious love for her, of the Signor’s improving health, of the near completion of their plan for going to Europe, and of their intention to take her with them.  Rosa was full of thankfulness, but said she was as yet incapable of much exertion.  Mr. Duroy went on to speak of Tom’s visit to Madame; and slowly and cautiously he prepared the way for his account of the conversation between Mr. Fitzgerald and Mr. Bruteman.  But careful as he was, he noticed that her features tightened and her hands were clenched.  When he came to the interchange of writings, she sprung to her feet, and, clutching his arm convulsively, exclaimed, “Did he do that?” Her eyes were like a flame, and her chest heaved with the quick-coming breath.

He sought to draw her toward him, saying in soothing tones, “They shall not harm you, my poor girl.  Trust to me, as if I were your father.”  But she burst from him impetuously, and walked up and down rapidly; such a sudden access of strength had the body received from the frantic soul.

“Try not to be so much agitated,” said he.  “In a very short time you will be in Europe, and then you will be perfectly safe.”

She paused an instant in her walk, and, with a strange glare in her eyes, she hissed out, “I hate him.”

He laid his hand gently upon her shoulder, and said:  “I want very much that you should try to be calm.  Some negroes are coming with a boat at daybreak, and it is necessary we should all go away with them.  You ought to rest as much as possible beforehand.”

“Rest!” repeated she with bitter emphasis.  And clenching her teeth hard, she again said, “I hate him!”

Poor Rosa!  It had taken a mountain-weight of wrong so to crush out all her gentleness.

Mr. Duroy became somewhat alarmed.  He hastened to the kitchen and told Chloe to go directly to Miss Rosa.  He then briefly explained his errand to Tulee, and told her to prepare for departure as fast as possible.  “But first go to your mistress,” said he; “for I am afraid she may go crazy.”