I returned to my good grandmother’s house.  She had an interview with Mr. Sands.  When she asked him why he could not have left her one ewe lamb,—­whether there were not plenty of slaves who did not care about character,—­he made no answer, but he spoke kind and encouraging words.  He promised to care for my child, and to buy me, be the conditions what they might.

I had not seen Dr. Flint for five days.  I had never seen him since I made the avowal to him.  He talked of the disgrace I had brought on myself; how I had sinned against my master, and mortified my old grandmother.  He intimated that if I had accepted his proposals, he, as a physician, could have saved me from exposure.  He even condescended to pity me.  Could he have offered wormwood more bitter?  He, whose persecutions had been the cause of my sin!

“Linda,” said he, “though you have been criminal towards me, I feel for you, and I can pardon you if you obey my wishes.  Tell me whether the fellow you wanted to marry is the father of your child.  If you deceive me, you shall feel the fires of hell.”

I did not feel as proud as I had done.  My strongest weapon with him was gone.  I was lowered in my own estimation, and had resolved to bear his abuse in silence.  But when he spoke contemptuously of the lover who had always treated me honorably; when I remembered that but for him I might have been a virtuous, free, and happy wife, I lost my patience.  “I have sinned against God and myself,” I replied; “but not against you.”

He clinched his teeth, and muttered, “Curse you!” He came towards me, with ill-suppressed rage, and exclaimed, “You obstinate girl!  I could grind your bones to powder!  You have thrown yourself away on some worthless rascal.  You are weak-minded, and have been easily persuaded by those who don’t care a straw for you.  The future will settle accounts between us.  You are blinded now; but hereafter you will be convinced that your master was your best friend.  My lenity towards you is a proof of it.  I might have punished you in many ways.  I might have whipped till you fell dead under the lash.  But I wanted you to live; I would have bettered your condition.  Others cannot do it.  You are my slave.  Your mistress, disgusted by your conduct, forbids you to return to the house; therefore I leave you here for the present; but I shall see you often.  I will call to-morrow.”

He came with frowning brows, that showed a dissatisfied state of mind.  After asking about my health, he inquired whether my board was paid, and who visited me.  He then went on to say that he had neglected his duty; that as a physician there were certain things that he ought to have explained to me.  Then followed talk such as would have made the most shameless blush.  He ordered me to stand up before him.  I obeyed.  “I command you,” said he, “to tell me whether the father of your child is white or black.”  I hesitated.  “Answer me this instant!” he exclaimed.  I did answer.  He sprang upon me like a wolf, and grabbed my arm as if he would have broken it.  “Do you love him?” said he, in a hissing tone.