X.
AMANDA.
Half an hour's ride through the swampy low grounds rising to gentle
uplands, and beneath the festoons of the great vines trailing from tree
to tree, brought us in front of a small house, half buried in a clump
of bushes, like a hare's nest amid brambles.
"We have arrived!" said Mohun, leading the way to the cabin, which we
soon reached.
Throwing his bridle over a bough near the low fence, Mohun approached
the door on foot, I following, and when close to the door, he gave a
low knock.
"Come in!" said a cheerful and smiling voice.
And Mohun opened the door, through which we passed into a small and
very neat apartment containing a table, some chairs, a wide fireplace,
in which some sticks were burning, a number of cheap engravings of
religious scenes, framed and hanging on the wall, and a low bed, upon
which lay a woman fully dressed.
She was apparently about thirty-five, and her appearance was
exceedingly curious. Her figure was slender and of medium height; her
complexion that of a Moorish or oriental woman, rather than that of the
quadroon, which she appeared to be; her hair black, waving, and
abundant; her eyes as dark and sparkling as burnished ebony; and her
teeth of dazzling whiteness. Her dress was neat, and of bright colors.
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