'I don't know. I cannot now.'
'Why not now? What is there to prevent?'
'I must go home first. I must see Cragin.'
'Cragin does not expect you for a fortnight,' I said; 'you can be back by that time.'
'But I cannot go now!' and again he rose, and walked the room. 'I'm not ready yet. My mind isn't made up.' After a pause, he added: 'Would you have me marry a slave—a woman of negro blood?'
'I would have you do as your feelings and your conscience dictate.'
'You cannot love her, if you ask that question,' said Kate, kindly, but sorrowfully.
'I do love her. I love her better than man ever loved woman; but can I make her my wife? A negro wife! negro children!—ha! ha!' and he clasped his hands above his head, and laughed that bitter, hollow laugh, which is the sure echo of fearful misery within.
'I cannot advise you, my son. You must act, now, on your own judgment. I will only say, that through it all—when put at slave work—when bound to the whipping stake—when she stood on the auction block for two long hours—she was sustained only by trust in you. It is true—she told me so; and if you forsake her now, it will'——
'Kill her! I know it! I know it, O my God! my God!' and he groaned in agony—such agony as I never before saw rend the spirit of mortal man.