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Show 290 UNCLE TOM'S CABJ :-f; OR, From tho moment that George got the first glimpse of her face, he ·was troubled with one of those fleeting and indefinite likenesses, which almost everybody can remember, and has been, at times, perplexed with. He could not keep himself from looking at her, and watching her perpetually. At table, or sitting at her state-room door, still she would encounter the young man's eyes fixed on her, and politely withdrawn, when she sl1owcd, by her countenance, that she was sensible of the observation. Cnssy became uneasy. She began to think that he suspected sometl1ing; and finally resolved to throw herself entirely on his generosity, and intrusted him with her whole history. George was heartily disposed to sympathize with any ono who had escaped from Legree's plantation,- a place that he could not remember or speak of with patience,- and, with the courageous disregard of consequences which is characteristic of his age and state, he assured her that he would do nil in his power to protect and bring them through. The next state-room to Gassy's was occupied by a. French lady, named De ~J.1houx, who was accompanied by a fine Jittlo daughter, a child of some twelve summers. This lady, having gathered, from George's conversation, that he was from Kentucky, seemed evident! y disposed to cultivate his acquaintance; in which design she was seconded by the graces of her little girl, who was about as pretty a plaything as ever diverted the weariness of a fortnight's trip on a steamboat. George's chair was often placed at her state-room door; anJ Cassy, as she sat upon the guards, could bear their conversation. Madame de Thoux was very minute in her inquiries as to LIFE AMONG TilE LOWLY. 291 Kentucky, where she said she had resided in a former period of her lifO. George discovered, to his surprise, that her former residence must have been in his own vicini ty; and her inquiries showed a knowledge of people and things in his vicinity, that was perfectly surprising to him. "Do you know," said :Madame de Thoux to him, one day, ".of any man, in your neighborhood, of the name of Harris 1" "There is an old fellow, of that name, lives not far from my fi1.ther's phce," said George. "We never have had much intercourse with him, though.'' "He is a large slave-owner, I believe," said ~fadame de Thoux, with a manner which seemed to betray more interest than she was exactly willing to show. "lie is," said George, looking: rather surprised at her manner. " Did you ever know of his having- perhaps, you may have heard of his having a mulatto boy, named George 1" "0, certainly,- George Harris,- I know him well; he married a servant of my mother's, but has escaped, now, to Canada.'' "Jle has 1" said Madame do Thoux, quickly. "Thank God!'' George looked a surprised inquiry, but said nothing. Madame de Thoux leaned her head on her hand, and burst into tears. ' 1 He is my brother,'' she said. " :Madame ! " said George, with a strong accent of surprise. "Yes," said Madame de Thoux, lifting her head, proudly, and wiping her tears; "Mr. Shelby, George Harris is my brother!'' |