In the
beginning of s novel , Isabel, the 13-year-old , and her mentally
disabled younger sister are slaves with the advantage of a relatively benign master. Miss Mary
Finch, their owner, has promised the girls their freedom when she dies. Unfortunately for
Isabel and Ruth, though, Miss Finchs nephew cares little for his now-deceased aunts gesture
towards these young girls and chooses instead to sell them into captivity. The couple that buys
the girls, the Locktons, are evil personified in their treatment of Isabel, and her and Ruths
lives are worse than ever. Isabels introduction to the Locktons, however, is accompanies by her
first encounter with a young, refined slave named Curzon. A slave to Mr. Bellingham, Curzon is
no fool; he knows how to ingratiate himself with the Locktons, and displays a mastery of
emotional manipulation in his attempts at meeting Isabel. Having offered to show Isabel how to
find the water pump and then escort her to the Locktons home, the young boy replies to Mr.
Lockton query as to whether Curzon knows the location of the formers estate: One of
the proudest in our city, sir, the boy answered as he put his hat back on his
head.
Curzons desire to escort Isabel represents an attempt at
furthering his agenda. If Mr. Lockton is evil, Curzon is a polite, resourceful gentleman who
immediately sees to Isabels needs, offering her food and a place to sit while she eats. When
Isabel has finished her food, Curzons true character is revealed. Inquiring as to how long she
has been the property of the Locktons, he informs her that Lockton is a dirty
Loyalist.
Curzon may be a slave, but he has decidedly chosen his
position in the revolutionary conflict that is brewing between the colonialists and the British
Crown. As their conversation proceeds, Curzon remains intent on figuring out as precisely as
possible the exact nature of Isabels relationship to the Locktons. In effect, he wants to know
if Isabel is loyal to the Locktons, thereby making her loyal to the Crown. Isabel answers
Curzons question about whether she feels loyal to the Locktons by noting that her and her
sisters welfare, at least for the time being, are tied to the girls new masters:
Someday Ill find that lawyer and Miss Marys will and
thatll free us. Until then, we need to eat, work and stay together. So, yes, I guess Im loyal
to Lockton.
It is at this stage in the
conversation that Curzon plants the seeds of deception in Isabels mind, albeit unsuccessfully at
first:
We paused at a corner while a soldier
drove a cart filled with barrels down the street. After we crossed, Curzon spoke so quiet I had
to lean in to catch his words. €˜You might be better served if you placed your loyalty with
us.
Explaining that us refers to his
master, and those he serves, the rebels, the Congress, Curzon explains to
Isabel that her freedom can be better assured by supporting the rebel cause
The conversation continues, with Curzon explaining in great detail the threat Mr.
Lockton poses to the revolutionaries and how information regarding Isabels new master could
benefit the cause. You just have to listen and alert me if you hear anything
important, he tells the reluctant Isabel.
This is the manner in
which Curzon tries to recruit Isabel to the side of the rebels. Spying on Lockton could provide
important information on what the Loyalists are thinking and provide advance notice of actions
the Loyalists and the British soldiers are contemplating.
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