"Respectable! Yes; the man who makes money is respectable, no matter by what shameful means he makes it. Usurer, oppressor of the helpless, trafficker in human flesh—what matters by what hideous trade the gold is got? The yellow guineas will not sparkle less—the hollow world will not be less ready to bow to the respectable member of society."
"Fool!" cried Augustus, angrily; "Craig is here. Do you wish him to know your opinion of him?"
Mortimer shrugged his shoulders and resumed his conversation with his cousin Adelaide.
Silas Craig saluted the ladies with ceremonious politeness, and, after the first greetings, exclaimed with a face expressive of sanctimonious grief and pious horror—
"Of course, ladies, you have heard the news?"
"The news! What news?" cried Adelaide and her aunt simultaneously.
"What! Is it possible that you have not heard of Mr. Gerald Leslie's conduct? All New Orleans is ringing with the scandal."
"What scandal?"
"Ah, ladies, you may indeed well ask what scandal; for who could believe that Mr. Leslie, one of the principal planters of Louisiana, should have been guilty of such a treason against the interest of society at large?"
"Treason! Mr. Leslie! What do you mean, Mr. Craig?" exclaimed Augustus Horton.