But then the question of labour? How he
slaved in trying to get work from those free negroes; and alas! how
often he slaved in vain! But it was not all in vain; for as things
went on it became clear to him that in this year he would, for the
first time since he commenced, obtain something like a return from
his land. What if the turning-point had come, and things were now
about to run the other way.
But then the happiness which might have accrued to him from this
source was dashed by his thoughts of Marian Leslie. Why had he
thrown himself in the way of that syren? Why had he left Mount
Pleasant at all? He knew that on his return to Spanish Town his
first work would be to visit Shandy Hall; and yet he felt that of all
places in the island, Shandy Hall was the last which he ought to
visit.
And then about the beginning of May, when he was hard at work turning
the last of his canes into sugar and rum, he received his annual
visit from Miss Jack. And whom should Miss Jack bring with her but
Mr. Leslie.
"I'll tell you what it is," said Miss Jack; "I have spoken to Mr.
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