Fortunately for Isabella, she was sold, for the latter purpose.

Jennings found a purchaser for her in the person of Mr.James French.
Mrs.French was a severe mistress.

All who lived with her, though well-dressed, were scantily fed and over-worked.

Isabella found her new situation far different from her Virginia cottage-life.

She had frequently heard Vicksburg spoken of as a cruel place for slaves, and now she was in a position to test the truthfulness of the assertion.
A few weeks after her arrival, Mrs.French began to show to Isabella that she was anything but a pleasant and agreeable mistress.