Craig looked at the Octoroon with a sardonic smile. "I could have wished that your father had explained to you why you cannot follow him from this place, Miss Leslie," he said; "it will be a painful disclosure for me to make." "What, sir?" exclaimed Cora, looking alternately from the lawyer to her father. Gerald Leslie clasped her in her arms. "My daughter was born in England, Mr. Craig," he said. "She has nothing to do with this business!" "Your memory fails you this morning, Mr. Leslie," answered Silas; "your daughter was born on this plantation, and is the child of a certain Quadroon slave, called Francilia. The proofs are in my possession." "What of that?" asked Cora; "what matters whether I was born in England or Louisiana?" The lawyer took a memorandum-book from his pocket. "Since your father will not enlighten you, Miss Leslie," he said; "the law must answer your question." He opened the book and read aloud from one of its pages: "'The children of a slave belong to the owner of the mother.' In other words," added the lawyer, as he replaced the book in his pocket, "Mr. Leslie is your master as well as your father; you are, therefore, his property, and that of his creditors." "Father!" cried Cora, wildly; "do you hear what this man says? You are silent! Oh, Heaven, it is then true?" For a moment her anguish overcame her; then, turning to Craig, she said: "What, then, would you do with me, sir?" "Alas, my poor child," answered Silas, with affected compassion, "you will be sold with the others." With a shriek of horror the Octoroon buried her face upon her father's breast. "Sold!" she exclaimed, in a stifled voice; "sold!" The mulatto Toby stood by, contemplating the scene with mute despair. "Mr. Craig," said Gerald Leslie, "will not all that I possess suffice to pay the debt I owe? Why this useless cruelty? Do you fear that the produce of the sale will not be enough to repay you? If it should be so, I swear to you that I will employ the last hour of my life to endeavor to liquidate your claim. If, then, there yet remains one sentiment of pity in your heart, do not rob me of my child!" "If I were disposed to grant your prayer, Mr. Leslie," answered Silas, "the law is inexorable. All must be sold." "No, no; who could question your right to do as you please in the matter?" "You forget," answered the lawyer; "you forget the fifty thousand dollars due to Augustus Horton; I am here to represent his interests as well as my own." "Augustus Horton," cried Cora; "you hear, father, you hear. It is to deliver me to him that they would separate me from you." "Reassure yourself, Miss Leslie," said Silas Craig; "the law requires that the slaves upon a property shall be sold by public auction. That auction will take place at noon to-morrow. Mr. Leslie has only to purchase you if he can command the means." But Cora heard him not.