“The next day, while standing in the cabin and looking through the window, the French gentleman (for such he was) came to the window while walking on the guards, and again commenced as on the previous evening.  He took from his pocket a bit of paper and put into my hand, and at the same time saying, ’Take this, it may some day be of service to you, remember it is from a friend,’ and left me instantly.  I unfolded the paper, and found it to be a 100 dols. bank note, on the United States Branch Bank, at Philadelphia.  My first impulse was to give it to my mistress, but upon a second thought, I resolved to seek an opportunity, and to return the hundred dollars to the stranger.  Therefore, I looked for him, but in vain; and had almost given up the idea of seeing him again, when he passed me on the guards of the boat and walked towards the stem of the vessel.  It being now dark, I approached him and offered the money to him.  He declined, saying at the same time, ’I gave it to you—­keep it.’  ‘I do not want it,’ I said.  ‘Now,’ said he, ’you had better give your consent for me to purchase you, and you shall go with me to France.’  ‘But you cannot buy me now,’ I replied, ’for my master is in New Orleans, and he purchased me not to sell, but to retain in his own family.’  ’Would you rather remain with your present mistress, than be free?’ ‘No,’ said I.  ’Then fly with me to-night; we shall be in Mobile in two hours from this, and, when the passengers are going on shore, you can take my arm, and you can escape unobserved.  The trader who brought you to New Orleans exhibited to me a certificate of your good character, and one from the Minister of the Church to which you were attached in Virginia; and upon the faith of these assurances, and the love I bear you, I promise before high heaven that I will marry you as soon as it can be done.’  This solemn promise, coupled with what had already transpired, gave me confidence in the man; and rash as the act may seem, I determined in an instant to go with him.  My mistress had been put under the charge of the captain; and as it would be past ten o’clock when the steamer would land, she accepted an invitation of the captain to remain on board with several other ladies till morning.  I dressed myself in my best clothes, and put a veil over my face, and was ready on the landing of the boat.  Surrounded by a number of passengers, we descended the stage leading to the wharf and were soon lost in the crowd that thronged the quay.  As we went on shore we encountered several persons announcing the names of hotels, the starting of boats for the interior, and vessels bound for Europe.  Among these was the ship Utica, Captain Pell, bound for Havre.  ‘Now,’ said Mr. Devenant, ’this is our chance.’  The ship was to sail at 12 o’clock that night, at high tide; and following the men who were seeking passengers, we went immediately on board.  Devenant told the Captain of the ship that I was his sister, and for such we passed during the voyage.  At the hour of twelve the Utica set sail, and we were soon out at sea.