Graspum,
always first to secure himself, in this instance compelled Marston
to succumb to his demands by threatening to disclose the crime
Lorenzo had committed. Forcing him to fulfil the obligation in the
bond, he took formal possession of the plantation. This increased
the suspicion of fraud; there was a mystery somewhere,--nobody could
solve it. Marston, even his former friends declared, was a swindler.
He could not be honestly indebted in so large an amount to Graspum;
nor could he be so connected with such persons without something
being wrong somewhere. Friends began to insinuate that they had been
misled; and not a few among those who had enjoyed his hospitality
were first inclined to scandalise his integrity. Graspum had
foreseen all this, and, with Romescos, who had purloined the bill of
sale, was prepared to do any amount of swearing. Marston is a victim
of circumstances; his proud spirit prompts him to preserve from
disgrace the name of his family, and thus he the more easily yielded
to the demands of the betrayer. Hence, Graspum, secure in his
ill-gotten booty, leaves his victim to struggle with those who come
after him.
A few weeks pass over, and the equity of Graspum's claim is
questioned: his character for honour being doubted, gives rise to
much comment. The whole thing is denounced-proclaimed a concerted
movement to defraud the rightful creditors. And yet, knowing the
supremacy of money over law in a slave state, Graspum's power, the
revenge his followers inflict, and their desperate character, not
one dare come forward to test the validity of the debt.
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