"For pity's sake not a word," he murmured. "At some future day, when the bitterness of all this suffering has become a memory of the past; when she is happy and--has well-nigh forgotten me--then recall to her the name of her father; tell her--tell her that I loved her. It will be better for both that we should be spared the pang of parting; so I will see her no more, though it is my very life which I lose in losing her. You will write to me, Gilbert?" "Yes, yes, dear sir," exclaimed the Englishman, clasping his hand. "Farewell, then, farewell, Gilbert, my son. You will be kind to her for my sake; you will love her dearly, will you not? Farewell." He wrung the hand which clasped his, and then breaking from Gilbert Margrave, rushed into the house. The young engineer slowly followed him, and retiring to his own room, made all preparations for the journey. It was already past midnight, and Gilbert was too much agitated to require rest. At early dawn his arrangements were complete, and summoning Toby, he gave the faithful mulatto a message to carry to Cora's apartments. This message was an earnest request that the young girl would meet him in the gardens below without delay. He had not long to await; he descended to the terrace, and in less than ten minutes he was joined by the Octoroon, who looked pale and anxious in the early morning light. She scarcely paused for their customary greeting. "My father arrived last night, Gilbert," she said, "and you and he were together for some time, were you not?" "We were, Cora." "Tell me, then, what passed between you?"' "He communicated sad news to me, Cora! A thousand dangers threaten us. He trembles for you, and he commands our immediate departure from Louisiana. It is for that purpose that I summoned you so early. We are to start this very morning." "Leave Louisiana, and without him?" "Yes, without him. He is determined to stay until the last, to fight against ruin; but he will not have you share his danger. The carriage will be ready in a few moments, all arrangements are made. I am to take you from here to the house of the British Consul, and thence, please Heaven, to a free State, where I am to make you my wife." "But why does my father dismiss me thus--without one word of affection or farewell?" "Nay, Cora," replied Gilbert Margrave, "do not accuse him. His last words were words of love, broken by sobs of anguish." "And you told him that I should consent to this parting?" "I did, Cora." "Oh, Gilbert, could you think me so base? Was it not to share my father's sufferings that I came from England to Louisiana? and can he think that I should be so pitiful a coward as to forsake him in his hour of peril? No, no; while he remains his daughter will stay by his side; when he flies she will accompany him." "Cora, Cora--angelic girl! Let it be as you will. I will obey you!" exclaimed the engineer. "Tell me, Gilbert, why you were to go to your consul?"