“I know nothing more than what I have thus accidentally overheard. For heaven’s sake tell me all! Is it true?”
“Substantially true, I grieve to say.”
“Poor Eugénie!”
“The estate was heavily mortgaged to Gayarre. I have long suspected this, and fear there has been some foul play. Gayarre has foreclosed the mortgage, and, indeed, it is said, is already in possession. Everything is now his.”
“Everything?”
“Everything upon the plantation.”
“The slaves?”
“Certainly.”
“All—all—and—and—Aurore?”
I hesitated as I put the interrogatory, Reigart had no knowledge of my attachment to Aurore.