Evidently
she had determined coolly to carry out the deceit, to act her part to
perfection, because of the reward, and she meant I should comprehend
her exact position. I fell asleep dissatisfied, half believing she was
also playing a part with me, although it was impossible to conceive her
purpose. The conception even came that she was herself an adventuress,
yet I throttled the thought instantly, unwilling to harbor it.
It was at the close of the following afternoon when our train reached
Carrollton. The depot must have been a mile from the town, and very
few people were upon the platform, two drummers and ourselves the only
ones to disembark. The traveling men hastened to the nearest hack,
while I glanced about in search of a conveyance. The only other
vehicle present was a two-seated surrey, driven by a rather
disreputable negro. I approached in some doubt.
"No, sah," he said, grinning. "Dis yere am my own curridge, sah;
tain't nuthin' ter do wid de Henley plantation. I reckon dey done did
n't git no telegram. Dey sure did n't less dey wus oxpectin' one, an'
cum inter town after it. Yes, sah, I know whar de place am all right.
I done worked dar onct. I reckon you 'se Massa Philip Henley, sah;
though you 've sure growd some since I saw you de las' time.
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