did they think while indulging in so much merriment at their master's expense what a cloud was just ready to burst over their heads. The business that had called him to New Orleans was of vital importance to his pecuniary relations, and the result had proved very unsatisfactory. The estate was deeply embarrassed at the time of his father's death, and though a number of the slaves were sold to clear some of the debts, it was by no means in a prosperous condition. His own conduct had contributed not a little to involve it still farther, a conviction of which rendered his reflections that night of a very unpleasant character, aside from the chagrin of being so unceremoniously deserted.
The hundreds of dollars he had spent on the brunette, and other similar transactions, recurred to his mind with great force, and, heartless though it seemed, his recent calculations on the exorbitant price she would bring, if matters came to the worst, were so unexpectedly baffled, he paced the room under the most galling sensations of mingled regret, humiliation, disappointment and despair. He saw no way to escape bankruptcy, and in order to avoid the difficulties that encompassed him like a hedge on every side, he resolved to flee the state. Having no doubt of his wife's destination he intended to follow her.
Fortunately, owing to her father's providential disposition of his property, besides the large portion she brought her husband he bequeathed to her the eld family mansion which could not be alienated during her lifetime, and afterwards descended to her
