True, if he held to it, the caving of the bank, at its present fearful speed, would let the house into the river within three months; but were it not better to lose it so, than sell his birthright?
Again,--coming back to the first thought,--to betray his own blood! It was only Injin Charlie; but had not the De Charleu blood just spoken out in him?
Unconsciously he groaned.
After a time they struck a path approaching the plantation in the rear, and a little after, passing from behind a clump of live-oaks, they came in sight of the villa.

It looked so like a gem, shining through its dark grove, so like a great glow-worm in the dense foliage, so significant of luxury and gayety, that the poor master, from an overflowing heart, groaned again.
"What ?" asked Charlie.
The Colonel only drew his rein, and, dismounting mechanically, contemplated the sight before him.

The high, arched doors and windows were thrown wide to the summer air; from every opening the bright light of numerous candelabra darted out upon the sparkling foliage of magnolia and bay, and here and there in the spacious verandas a colored lantern swayed in the gentle breeze.

A sound of revel fell on the ear, the music of harps; and across one window, brighter than the rest, flitted, once or twice, the shadows of dancers.

But oh! the shadows flitting across the heart of the fair mansion's master! "Old Charlie," said he, gazing fondly at his house, "You and me is both old, eh ?" "Yaas," said the stolid Charlie.
"And we has both been bad enough in our times eh, Charlie ?" Charlie, surprised at the tender tone, repeated "Yaas." "And you and me is mighty close ?" "Blame close, yaas." "But you never know me to cheat, old man!" "No,"-- impassively.
"And do you think I would cheat you now ?" "I dunno," said Charlie.