The sound which arrested Cora's attention was the trampling of a horse's hoots upon the carriage drive below the terrace.
"Hulloa!" cried a voice from the same direction. "Hulloa, there! Is there any one to hold my horse?"
"A visitor!" exclaimed Cora.
"It is Mr. Augustus Horton," said Toby, looking over the balustrade.
"Adelaide's brother! Then I will see him."
"But in your father's absence, Miss Cora?" murmured the slave, anxiously.
"I will see him," repeated Cora; "he may come to offer an explanation—Heaven knows it is needed."
"Hulloa! every one asleep here?" cried the voice below.
"Coming, massa," answered Toby, running down the terrace steps.
Three minutes afterward Augustus Horton made his appearance in the flower garden, where Cora awaited him. He bowed carelessly to the young girl without raising his hat, but fixing upon her lovely face a gaze of ardent admiration.