Дванадцять років рабства

           MistressEppswasnotnaturallysuchanevilwoman,afterall. Shewaspossessedofthedevil,jealousy,itistrue,butasidefromthat,therewasmuchinhercharactertoadmire. Herfather,Mr.Roberts,residedinCheneyville,aninfluentialandhonorableman,andasmuchrespectedthroughouttheparishasanyothercitizen. ShehadbeenwelleducatedatsomeinstitutionthissidetheMississippi;wasbeautiful,accomplished,andusuallygood-humored. ShewaskindtoallofusbutPatsey—frequently,intheabsenceofherhusband,sendingouttoussomelittledaintyfromherowntable. Inothersituations—inadifferentsocietyfromthatwhichexistsontheshoresofBayouBœuf,shewouldhavebeenpronouncedanelegantandfascinatingwoman. AnillwinditwasthatblewherintothearmsofEpps. 

           Herespectedandlovedhiswifeasmuchasacoarsenaturelikehisiscapableofloving,butsupremeselfishnessalwaysovermasteredconjugalaffection. 

           "Helovedaswellasbasernaturescan, 

           Butameanheartandsoulwereinthatman." 

           Hewasreadytogratifyanywhim—tograntanyrequestshemade,provideditdidnotcosttoomuch. Patseywasequaltoanytwoofhisslavesinthecottonfield. Hecouldnotreplaceherwiththesamemoneyshewouldbring. Theideaofdisposingofher,therefore,couldnotbeentertained. Themistressdidnotregardheratallinthatlight. Theprideofthehaughtywomanwasaroused;thebloodofthefierysouthernboiledatthesightofPatsey,andnothinglessthantramplingoutthelifeofthehelplessbondwomanwouldsatisfyher.