It told him how willingly her gratitude coalesced with her
love. Their position at table did not afford the opportunity of
interchanging those feelings of the heart which each felt swelling
within. The present, so full of joy and hope, it seemed cruel to
surround with circumstances which forbade them to enjoy it. A crowded
steamer is the most uncomfortable place in the world for a pair of
lovers, and Henry and Emily felt the inconvenience of it.
But, if the position of the lovers was uncomfortable, Jaspar's was
painful. They had the consolation of loving and being loved; but he was
now writhing under the weight of an additional torture. The appearance
of Hatchie was the knell of all his hopes, the precursor of ruin. To him
it was a mystery, and all his endeavors to solve it were unavailing.
About noon the Chalmetta arrived at Baton Rouge, where, according to
previous arrangement, and much to the joy of the perplexed uncle, De Guy
came on board. Jaspar greeted him with more than usual courtesy, and
felt, to as great a degree as guilt can feel it, a relief from the
embarrassments which surrounded him.
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