A noisy laugh from a group on deck at this moment arrested their attention. This group was composed of Silas Craig, William Bowen, and two or three other passengers, all gathered round Augustus Horton, who was reading a paragraph aloud from a New Orleans newspaper. The following were the words which greeted Cora's ears-- "The conduct of Mr. Leslie in daring to foist the child of one of his slaves upon the highest circles of society, merits the punishment with which he has met. The citizens of New Orleans have shown their indignation at his offense, by abandoning all communication with him. Gerald Leslie walks the streets, of his native city a stranger and a ruined man." "Oh, this is infamous," exclaimed Gilbert Margrave; "that man knows that you are here and he reads that paragraph on purpose to insult you. I will not endure it." He was about to rush forward toward Augustus Horton, but Cora caught his arm in her slender hands and arrested his steps. "For pity's sake," she cried; "for my sake, Mr. Margrave, not one word! The sting of the insult will be lost if unnoticed. Let him think those cruel words are unheard." It was indeed as Gilbert Margrave had supposed. Augustus knew of Cora's presence in the boat--he had seen her with Gilbert by her side, and he was determined to be revenged upon her for the contempt with which she had treated him. This was the planter's love. The love of the profligate who seeks to humiliate his victim in order that he may subdue her. CHAPTER XV. THE CHALLENGE. After Augustus Horton had read the paragraph in the New Orleans paper--a paragraph whose every line was calculated to wound the sensitive nature of the Octoroon--he looked toward Cora to see what effect the insult had had upon her and Gilbert Margrave. They were seated side by side, and appeared engrossed in conversation, apparently unconscious of all that was passing around them. The planter threw down the newspaper with a smothered ejaculation of rage. "Curse her!" he muttered; "is there no way to humble that proud soul? He, the Englishman, is by her side, deferential as if he were talking to a queen. No matter! my turn will come." He withdrew to the saloon, with a crowd of friends and satellites, who flocked around him as one of the richest planters of Louisiana. William Bowen had lost a handful of dollars at the gaming-table, and followed his patron, Silas Craig, in order to obtain a fresh supply from that gentleman. The deck was therefore almost deserted. A few passengers, ladies and gentlemen, lounging here and there, upon the comfortable benches; the ladies employed in some elegant needle-work, the gentlemen smoking; Cora and Gilbert Margrave sat apart, and out of hearing of the rest.