"They have," answered Augustus with an oath, "but they shall not long escape me. Listen to me, Adelaide; you may wonder at the passion I feel upon this subject, but my pride has been humiliated by the cool insolence of the Octoroon, and whatever motive I may have had for my conduct at the slave sale yesterday, I have now no purpose but that of bringing Cora Leslie's haughty spirit to the dust. I will have her found and brought back to New Orleans, and I will give her to you as your lady's-maid. I know that there is little love lost between you, and that I could not easily inflict a greater humiliation upon my fine lady."
"And you will give her to me?" exclaimed Adelaide with evident delight.
"Yes. I thought you'd like the idea."
"You will give me Cora Leslie?"
"I will. The girl cost me fifty thousand dollars, but I care for nothing now but revenge. Make her your lady's maid—bring her nose to the grind-stone—let her feel what it is to be the slave of the woman who hates her."
"I will gladly accept your gift, Augustus," said Adelaide, eagerly; "but I fear that you will change your mind."
"No, indeed!"
"Then suppose you write a memorandum of your gift, and sign it in the presence of Mr. Craig and my aunt."
"Willingly," replied Augustus, and seating himself at the table scrawled a few lines, transferring the Octoroon to his sister, and after signing the document, pushed it across to Silas Craig.
"Witness that, Craig," he said, "since my sister is so much afraid of my breaking my word."