The trader eyed him keenly, and saw from his manner that he was in earnest about having the girl.

“She is not for sale in this city.  Whoever buys her must give me a pledge to take her out of this city.  That was the bargain I made with her mistress.  She made me promise her that I would sell her to no one in the vicinity of the city.  In fact, she wanted me to sell her out of the way of her son.  His mother said she had dedicated him to the Blessed Virgin, and I reckon she wanted to keep him out of the way of temptation.  Now what will you give me for her?”

“Will you take a thousand for her?”

“Now you ain’t saying nothing,” said the trader, shutting one eye, and spitting on the floor.

“How will twelve hundred do?”

“It won’t do at all, not for such a fancy article as that.  I’d rather keep her for myself than sell her at such a low figure.  Why, just look at her!  Why, she’s pretty as a picture!  Look at that neck, and her shoulders.  See how she carries her head!  And look at that splendid head of hair.  Why some of our nabobs would give three thousand dollars; but I’ll tell you what I’ll do, I’ll let you have her for two thousand dollars; fancy article is cheap at that.”

Louis demurred, but the trader was inexorable, and rather than let the opportunity to rescue Ellen from him escape he paid the exorbitant price, and had her brought to his hotel.  His next work was to get a house for Ellen, and have her taken there, installed as his mistress.  He then went back to the plantation as if nothing had happened, and his mother soon thought he was reconciled about the loss of Ellen.  Only Milly knew his secret, and she kept it as a secret thing.

“I’ve got some pleasant news for you, Louis,” said Mrs. Le Grange, one day to her son:  “your uncle and cousin are coming down from Virginia, and I want you to be all attention to your cousin, for she is very rich.  She has a fortune in her right, which was left her by her grandmother, and besides she will have another one at her father’s death, added, to which they say, she is a very beautiful girl.”

Great preparations were made for the expected guests.  Georgiette was Mrs. Le Grange’s brother’s child, and having been separated from him for more than fifteen years she was full of joyful anticipations, when he apprised her of his intention of visiting her in company with his daughter.  At length the welcome day arrived, and Mrs. Le Grange stood arranging her jewels and ribbons to receive the guests.

“You are welcome to Louisiana,” said she, removing Georgiette’s shawl, and tenderly kissing her, “and you too, brother,” she said, as Mr. Monteith followed his daughter.  “How beautiful Georgiette has grown since I saw her.  Why darling you look charming!  I’m afraid I shan’t be able to keep you long for some of the beaux will surely run away with you.”  “My son,” said Mrs. Le Grange, introducing Louis, who just then entered the door.