"I shall be here to protect her, at the worst; but tell me have you any idea how it was that this mulatto Toby applied to me above all people?" "The instincts of the despised race are strong," answered Mortimer; "he knew, no doubt, that you felt no uncommon interest in his young mistress. See, is not that Miss Leslie yonder, amongst the passengers, dressed in black?" "It is; she is coming this way with Toby." "I will leave you, then, my dear Gilbert," said Mortimer, and pressing his friend's hand, he strolled into the saloon. Cora Leslie was pale as a lily. Her black robes seemed to increase this almost unearthly pallor, but they could not take from her beauty. She advanced slowly, looking about her with a glance of terror, while the faithful mulatto followed close at her side. Presently she perceived Gilbert Margrave, who silently awaited her coming. The crimson blush which suddenly dyed her cheek revealed how little she had expected this meeting. "Mr. Margrave," she exclaimed. "Pardon me, Miss Leslie," replied the young engineer, "if I have ventured to make myself, without your permission, your companion upon this journey--but the hope that I might be able to render you some service has induced me even to brave your displeasure." Cora looked earnestly at Toby; the faithful creature's eyelids fell beneath that searching gaze. "Ah, Mr. Margrave," she said, "it was Toby who told you of this journey?" "Forgive me, dear young mistress," exclaimed the mulatto; "I thought that I was doing right." "I am deeply affected with this proof of your kindness, Mr. Margrave," said Cora; "but I regret that Toby's indiscretion should have imposed upon you a task which will, as I believe, be useless." "However that may be, Miss Leslie, it is a task which I accept with pride and joy." At this moment the little group was approached by the captain of the Selma, whose sharp eyes had espied the dark skin of Toby amongst his aristocratic passengers. "Hello! what are you doing here, nigger?" he exclaimed; "don't you know your place is at the other end of the vessel?" The mulatto retired without a word, but not without a push from the indignant captain. "Poor Toby," murmured Cora, as she followed with her eyes the faithful slave. "You see, Miss Leslie," said Gilbert, "the company of Toby would have been no protection to you." "I should have gone with him, Mr. Margrave. Is not my place his? Am I not an Octoroon?" "You know all, then?" "Yes. Alas! I see that it was only I who was ignorant." "A chance word from Mr. Percy revealed the secret to me, Miss Leslie, upon that very night when first I saw you." "Oh, Mr. Margrave, I do not seek to deny my origin. See, I wear mourning for my mother, and my journey of to-day is a pilgrimage to her grave." A couple of chairs near Gilbert Margrave were unoccupied; one of these he offered to Cora, and, taking the other, seated himself by her side.