Page:Rowland--In the shadow.djvu/268

 "I felt it," said Virginia.

"Because he said he might go to Mexico by way of Charleston so as to see us," said Giles. "Told me so when I saw him in New York,—what?"

"When is he coming?" asked Virginia.

"His steamer's due in Charleston the day after to-morrow."

"Speaking of Leyden reminds me of Dessalines," observed Giles. "I wonder how the old chap's made out. One never sees anything much about Hayti; surprising, too, so near the States."

"The last account I saw," said Manning, whose face had slightly darkened at Giles's reference to the negro, "it appeared as if a man called Alexis Nord had the best chance; the whole thing's been the most absurd opéra bouffe. I haven't seen Dessalines' name mentioned."

"Perhaps he's lying low until some one does the work for him," suggested Giles.

"We will hear from him yet, you may depend upon it," replied Virginia with conviction.

"I'm not so sure," said Manning. "You can't depend upon a negro unless you are right behind him. He seems to lack something; imagination I fancy. A negro mixes his trails like a mongrel hound. He can't resist the temptation to reach for the nearest and easiest object at hand. He will follow the line of least resistance every time."

"But see how steadily Dessalines kept at his work of preparation," said Virginia. "You are biased, Manning."

"Possibly, but that was all a talking part; they are 258