Kirby has undoubtedly got the law with him.

We cannot establish fraud; the property actually belongs to him--both mother and daughter are his slaves." "And how about the other girl--Eloise ?" "He has no legal hold on her; she is a free white woman.

He could only hope to overcome her resistance by threats.

The plantation is irrevocably lost to the Beaucaires, but she possesses the power to defy him because of her mother's property.

If Kirby marries her, it will only be through her consent." He picked up his hat from the table, and a stout stick he had brought along with him, taking a step toward the door.
"I might as well tell you I consider this a mad scheme," he paused to add gravely, "and that it will probably fail.