Gerald Leslie felt the sting of the mocking sneer with which these words were accompanied.
"I am not yet prepared with the money," he answered; "but I have every reason to hope the New York steamer will bring the required sum before night."
"It is from the house of Richardson you expect the money, I believe," said Silas Craig.
"It is."
"In that case I am sorry to inform you that a telegram has just reached New Orleans announcing the failure of that house."
Gerald Leslie clasped his hands in silence.
"Was that your only resource, Mr. Leslie?" asked Craig.
Still the planter made no reply.
"You see, then," continued the lawyer, "that the presence of these gentlemen is not altogether useless. You can proceed at once to business," he added, turning to the men.
Cora Leslie wondered at the silent despair of her father.