"Alas, Miss Leslie, you are not deceived," said Mortimer earnestly; "Mr. Leslie has experienced great losses. The death of Mr. Treverton, his partner, who was killed in a duel a year ago, at the very time of your father's return from England, revealed deficiencies that he had never dreamed of. He was obliged to have recourse to heavy loans; and since that, the revolt of his slaves, in damaging the harvest, has given the finishing blow to his difficulties."
"Then my father is ruined, Mr. Percy," cried Cora, clasping her hands: "oh, do not imagine that the aspect of poverty alarms me; it is not of myself that I think, but of him. What a life of anxiety and effort he has endured, in order to establish a position, which he only seemed to value on my account! Never has he allowed me to hear one expression of uneasiness drop from his lips; never has he denied the most extravagant of my caprices. Ah, if he but knew how gladly I would exchange all this worthless splendor for the happiness of sheltering my head upon his noble breast. If he could but tell how dear the humblest home would be to me after the long isolation of my youth. Who can tell how long our separation may endure!"
"Nay, Miss Leslie," said Mortimer soothingly; "your father's position is far from desperate, though he may require a long time and considerable courage in order to extricate himself from his difficulties."
"A long time! Some years, perhaps?" asked Cora.
"I fear so."
"And during this heart-rending struggle," exclaimed the young girl, "he will not have a creature near him to comfort or sustain him. And if new dangers should menace him—for this revolt has been avenged by the blood of the slave-leaders, has it not?—and fresh cruelties may cause new rebellion. Oh, heaven! the thought makes me tremble! No, my father shall not be alone to struggle! If he suffers I will console him; if he is in danger I will share it with him."
"What do you mean, Miss Leslie?" cried Mortimer.
"You leave England in a few days with Mrs. Montresor and your cousin Adelaide. I will accompany you."
"But, Miss Leslie, remember—" remonstrated the young man.
"I remember nothing but that my father is in danger, and that a daughter's place is by his side. See, here comes Mrs. Montresor; I know she will not refuse to grant my request."