A LOVELY morning ushered in the day, and gave promise that the wedding-dinner would be well attended. The sun had not risen above the horizon, before breakfast was over, and Mrs. Boswell was engaged in finishing preparations for a splendid dessert, which she had commenced two days before.

  When it was all ready for the instruction of Charles and Cecilia, every dish was placed in its proper position upon a large table in the pantry, and they were told to place them in that order, when brought to the table in the dining-room. She said she had been often put out of patience with servants, for misplacing dishes, and by the confusion produced by every one around the table attempting to bring their irregularity to order; evincing, not unfrequently, as much ignorance as the servants themselves. There was an empty dish at the head for the plum-pudding, which was to come in hot. The Doctor was called in to admire it, after the arrangements were completed. "Well, my dear," said he, "that does credit to Norristown. I have only one objection to make; your pyramid is so high there is some danger of its falling."

  "Not the smallest; it can't fall, it is too well proportioned," said Mrs. Boswell.

  Mr. Hicks, notwithstanding the stern rebuke which he had received from Evelina, determined to go over to the Cottage, just in time to accompany her and her father to Selma. When he got there, Evelina was at her toilet. The servant who waited in her room, was sent into the parlour for something she had left there, and when she returned, she said to her young mistress, that she had heard her Pa tell Mr. Hick that he would have his horse put in the stable, and dat Mr. Hick was gwine in de carriage. Miss Evelina went immediately to take counsel, where she always resorted for that purpose, to her Aunt Priscilla. In a voice indicating a feeling of horror, she exclaimed:

  "My dear aunt, what do you think? Papa has asked that man to go to Selma in the carriage with us."

  "What man, my dear?" said Miss Priscilla Graham.

  "That man Hicks, from Boston, whose conduct here, yesterday, I told you of last night."

  "My dear, you shan't go with him, if I can prevent it."

  "Well, shall I send papa word, aunt, that I have a headache, and can't go?"

  "No, my dear, that would be false; and I am astonished that you should have proposed it."

  "Indeed, aunt, I did not mean to tell a falsehood; my head does ache very severely."

  "My dear child, although your head may ache, still such a message as that would be false. You would be assigning to your father, as the cause of your not going to Selma, a headache. Now you know, Evelina, that notwithstanding the headache, you would have gone to Selma, but for this Mr. Hicks being invited to go in the carriage."

  "My dear aunt, I proposed it without reflection; I did not mean, I assure you, to tell an untruth. What shall I say to papa keeps me from going?"

  "My dear, we could make no excuse but the real one, which would not be deceptive; and I must tell your father plainly, if he insists upon knowing the cause of your not going, that I do not wish you to ride in the same carriage with Mr. Hicks. Evelina, my dear, do you go into the next room, and I will send for your father to come up here. Mary, go and ask Mr. Preble to come up into my room, if he pleases."

  Mr. Preble followed Mary when she returned.

  "Mr. Preble," said Miss Priscilla, "I am sorry to give you the trouble of walking up stairs; I wish to inquire of you, whether this Boston gentleman is to go to Selma in your carriage?"

  "I have invited him to do so, madam; he has consented, and his horse has been put away."

  "I am very sorry for it, Mr. Preble, as it will prevent Evelina from going."

  "Why so, madam? I can't see why it should prevent her from going. I invited Mr. Hicks, because I supposed it would be more agreeable, this hot day, to go in the carriage, than to ride on horseback."

  "Mr. Preble, such a favour as that is not expected by a stranger; nor is it customary to extend it to an entire stranger, as Mr. Hicks is, to you and your family."

  "Miss Priscilla, I do not think that is a sufficient reason by any means for Evelina's refusing to go. This gentleman has been brought here by a dear friend of my son, and we are to presume that if he was not a fit associate

  "Evelina says not one word against Mr. Hicks going in your carriage, sir; but, as he is to go, she prefers staying at home, and I think, sir, for a very good reason."

  "Well, madam, I have not yet heard anything like a good reason for her not going; and I have a right to lay upon her the commands of a father, and make her go."

  "Mr. Preble, you certainly have that right, but I hope you will not exercise it, sir, under the circumstances of this case; and I am forced, reluctantly, to tell you what those circumstances are. You left Evelina and Mr. Hicks together, yesterday, in the parlour; and in your absence, he, an entire stranger as he was, professed attachment for her. I think, sir, it was an insult offered your daughter, for a stranger to suppose that she was so entirely devoid of prudence and discretion as to form a matrimonial engagement with him almost at first sight. Evelina, sir, received his proposal in such manner as every female who has proper respect for herself ought to have done, by immediately leaving the room. And if she were now to go in the same carriage with him to Selma, he would consider it encouragement to renew his addresses. I hope, sir, now that you know the whole cause for her declension, you will not force her to go."

  "Well, madam, it does seem to me that you and Evelina have made much fuss about nothing. I think that the highest compliment a gentleman can pay a lady is to address her. I know very well what is the real cause of Evelina's not wishing to go with him. You may tell her

  "I am very much surprised and mortified, Mr. Preble," said Mr. Hicks, "that your daughter declined going to the party, to-day; and I fear, sir, that I have been the innocent cause of her not going, by accepting your polite invitation to take a seat in your carriage, as I guess she might apprehend that our being seen together, in your carriage, might have given umbrage to another individual."

  "I don't care, sir, who it gives umbrage to; I gave you the invitation, and now say to you that you are welcome to the seat you now occupy."

  "Mr. Preble, your kindness emboldens me to introduce a subject which is nearest my heart. From the moment I first saw your daughter, I have cherished an ardent affection for her; and when you left us together, yesterday, I could not resist the violence of my attachment; and I will candidly confess to you that I made it known to her. Perhaps it was too hasty in me to do so; but I hope, sir, you will excuse me, on the ground that the ardour of my attachment overstepped the cold rules of custom, and that I became the avowed lover of your daughter only a short time in advance of the period which those rules would have sanctioned as a fit time for making the declaration. Having made known to you, sir, the state of my heart, I will now ask your permission to continue my suit."

  "If you and Evelina, Mr. Hicks, can come to an agreement upon this subject, I shall be satisfied. I have formed one determination in regard to my daughter's marrying,

  Mr. Preble having been kept at home later than he intended, by Miss Priscilla Graham, they arrived at Selma after the company had assembled, and many were the expressions of regret and astonishment at the absence of Evelina. To Mrs. Boswell's inquiry of her father why she had not come, the old gentleman was at a loss at first to give answer, but said something about her Aunt Priscilla being a curious old lady. The conversation in the carriage had given such life and spirits to Mr. Hicks, that it was observed by the whole company; and the conjecture with some, was, that his trip to the Cottage that day, must have given rise to something more than ordinarily agreeable. Some conjectured that Evelina's absence was owing to her thinking that it would look too particular for her to ride in the same carriage with a suitor; others, that she was afraid to let Mr. Grattan see her by the side of Mr. Hicks. There were some few, however, who knew Evelina well, and thought she had acted in strict accordance with her known prudence and delicacy of character.

  "Upon my word," said Miss Eliza McKnight, "you seem to be upon the high ropes, to-day, Mr. Hicks. No wonder, when you have been more highly favoured than I have ever known a stranger to be."

  "How's that, Miss Eliza? your remark wants explanation."

  "Why, sir, to be set up in Mr. Preble's carriage—perfectly at home, sir,—entertaining the old gentleman, no doubt, with future prospects of happiness for yourself and

  "Your conjecture was ahead of the fact, Miss McKnight. I wish it may be realized, however, at some future day."

  The lady bit her lips in evident displeasure, for she had hoped to have drawn from Mr. Hicks a declaration that he had no intention of addressing Miss Preble. His conversation thus failing to be as pleasant as she wished, she took a vacant seat, leaving him standing in the floor.

  George Preble occupied a seat next Mrs. Boswell. The latter remarked that she sincerely regretted his sister's absence.

  "Evelina," he replied, "was perfectly right not to come; and as soon as I saw that man Hicks get out of my father's carriage—knowing the prudence and delicacy of my sister as well as I do—I was satisfied she was not there. It is no longer a secret that she is actually engaged to Mr. Grattan; and what would have been thought, if she had to-day accompanied, in her father's carriage, this man who has been pestering her with his visits, and who is already supposed to be her lover?"

  "Although, Mr. Preble, I regret Evelina's absence, I must say that I admire her the more for not coming, under those circumstances. She has acted just as I think she ought to have done. Why did not Major and Mrs. Scott come?"

  "I thought they were coming, madam, until the carriage

  "Were I his bride, Mr. Preble, I should be very much concerned at his sombre appearance. I should be always uneasy lest people should think him unhappy in his marriage relation—that he had been disappointed in his wife, or something of that sort. I suppose, however, it is small concern Amelia gives herself about it."

  "Very possibly; if she can hug and kiss old Mammy Betty five or six times a day, it is the summit of her happiness."

  "Betty is to go with them, to Boston, I understand. Indeed, Amelia told me so herself."

  "O! yes—she is to go. Amelia would sooner part with Benson, than with her; though Benson had rather carry the old dame to Boston in his pocket, in the shape of banknotes, than in human form."

  The Doctor, seeing how completely Benson had cut himself off from the lively social intercourse of the company, here took a seat by him in his hermitage of a corner, and inquired if he had seen much of the neighbouring country.

  "No," he replied, "I take a little walk every day for exercise; but have not been on horseback since I came to Virginia."

  "Well, sir, if you are fond of extensive landscape views, you would be highly gratified by a ride over the river into the mountain, from some of the heights of which you would have a splendid view of this whole valley."

  "I have been so much accustomed, Doctor, to expanded water prospects, that I don't take much to land views. Moreover, the sight of vessels coming in and going out, loading and unloading, so expressively reminds one of the extensive commerce of the world, that he scarce retains a taste for other spectacles. Boston harbour now, sir, at this very moment, presents a business-like appearance which is delightful. I can enjoy it even in memory."

  "But, my dear sir, when you happen to be so far removed from that scene, you might, methinks, let memory go to sleep for a while, and enjoy other scenes for the sake of variety."

  "It is not my nature to take pleasure in variety. What my mind takes to, it dwells upon. For instance, I could take pleasure in thinking upon trade and its incidents, and would not care to have it shut out by any other topic."

  The Doctor gave up his contest with trade and its incidents, and strolled to the side of Mrs. Benson. That lady's fixed allusion was to her intention of carrying her mammy to Boston with her. She expressed a fear, that, as Mr. Hicks had told her, the people of Boston would laugh at her for applying such a term to an old black woman, adding:

  "Would you care, if you were in my place, Doctor?"

  "No; I should let them laugh on, and call her 'mammy' still."

  "That's just what I mean to do, Doctor; and I know besides, that all Boston can't take her from me."

  "No, indeed; I'll go security for that."

  "How delighted the dear old creature will be to see the big houses, and the ocean, and the ships! How happy we shall be together, there!"

  "I hope you may. You may need her lively and cheering company, there, as Mr. Benson seems to be generally absorbed in his own reflections."

  "Oh! he's always thinking of business. I can hardly ever get a word out of him."

  "I think you will get along very well with each other—he with his trade and its incidents, and you with your mammy."

  "Well, I'll promise I'll let his trade alone, if he'll let my mammy alone."

  "If you will stick to that determination, madam, you will both be as happy as the days are long."

  As the Doctor passed from Mrs. Benson's side, he caught the eye of Miss Rosa McKnight, who beckoned to him to come to her, where she was entertaining Mr. Sebastian.

  "Doctor," said she, in an undertone, "Mr. Sebastian mentions a rumour that Mr. Benson has advertised for sale ten negroes, given him by Major Scott. I cannot credit it, that a gentleman living in the very heart of abolitionism, should do such a thing. Have you heard anything of it?"

  "I have seen, Miss Rosa, more than I have heard. I

  "Well, I never could have imagined, that after all the fuss Northerners make about slavery, a Yankee from Boston would sell negroes. I think it probable that is all Mr. Hicks is after in his attentions to Evelina Preble—getting hold of some of the old gentleman's negroes, to sell."

  "I do not know whether he has been often to see Miss Evelina; but I think her sufficiently attractive in herself, to secure the visits of young gentlemen, with no help from slaves."

  "She may be all that, Doctor, for what I know."

  The host's next tour was one more decidedly of duty—to introduce his father-in-law, who had just entered the room. After the presentation, Mrs. Boswell inquired of her father what had detained him, and why her mother had not come also.

  "You know, Ann," he responded, "your mamma never goes into company."

  "Oh, papa, it would have been so fine an opportunity to make mama acquainted with her neighbours."

  Charles announced dinner, and never in the valley of Virginia had been seen a more abundant, appetizing, or tasteful display of viands than graced the board at Selma on that bridal occasion.

  The Doctor's first toast was the health and happiness of the brides and grooms; and at the second round of the

  As the company was returning from the dinner-table to

  "How do you do, my old friend?" said Mr. Hicks.

  "Thanky, masser, the Lord's goodness spares me yet, sir."

  "Don't you get tired of work as late in the day as this?"

  "No, masser, I wucks at my lesur, sir; I can't say I's ever tired."

  "Would you not like to work for yourself, old gentleman, and not for a master, as you do now?"

  "Why, sir, I is wuckin' for myself when I wuckin' for my masser, sir; dese close I got on, de dinner I just dun eatin', I wucks fur when I wucks for my masser."

  "But wouldn't you like to be free, and work for yourself only, old gentleman?"

  "Masser, I can't wuck always, you know; if de Lord spar' my life, I gwine git too old to wuck, some time or other, sir; and what I gwine do den, if I wus free, sir? and when I gits too old to wuck, my masser gwine take care of me, till I die, sir."

  "Wouldn't you like, old man, to be raised from the degraded condition of a slave to the level of a free white man?"

  "Masser, if you b'leve me, sir, niggers can't never be raised, in dis country, as high as white folks, anyhow."

  "Why not, old gentleman? if you set them free, and give them an opportunity to get property and learning, why can't they be made like the white man?"

  "Well, masser, jes look at it a little while, sir: my name is Robin Strange; now, sir, s'pose Robin Strange was free man, bin to college, have fine edication, fine plantation here 'pon dis river, sir, got one carriage to ride in, sir; an' Robin Strange hear dat Mister Dr. Boswell was gwine have one fine weddin' party of white gentlemen an' ladies; an' he, Robin Strange, put on he ruffle shut, hab he carriage got, an' ax heself to go an' dine dar, too. When Robin Strange drive up to de door, sir, you think Mister Doctor Boswell gwine meet him at de door, help him out of he carriage, and say, 'I mighty glad to see you, to-day, Mr. Strange?' No, sir; jes' soon as he see one black man in dat carriage, he ider tell him heself, or he sen' him word, sir, dat he don't en'tain black people at he house, an' he mus' go back home; an', sure 'nough, Mr. Robin Strange go back home, sir, wid flea in he ear. Is dis bein' on a level wid white folks, masser? Here 'tis, masser (running his finger over his hand and face); dis here colour, sir, mus' war out 'fore you can make niggers equal to white people, sir."

  "Is it possible, old man, that you would rather be a slave than to be free?"

  "Masser, I tells you de plain truth when I say yes. Dis, sir, is no country for free black man; Africa de only place for he, sir. I 'vise de young ones, sir, whose massers want um to go to Africa, to go dar; but I too old, sir, to go to Africa. My masser been say to me, over an' offen, 'Robin, you may have your freedom, an' you wife

  As they were returning to the house, Miss Eliza said: "I declare, Mr. Hicks, Uncle Robin is a right queer old man, isn't he? and didn't he say some things that were right true?"

  "No, indeed, miss, I could have upset everything he said, if I had had time."

  "Well, you people from the North, Mr. Hicks, know a great deal about these things. I always thought that if I was to go to the North, I should be an abolitionist. Now, there are some people, if they were to go to the North Pole, would like to carry slaves along with them; I mean their notions about slavery. There's Evelina Preble, so fond of slaves and slavery, that I do not think she would ever consent to live anywhere but in a slave state."

  "Miss Evelina Preble is so sweet and angelic a creature, that she might almost persuade an abolitionist to come and live in a slave state, if he could get her on no other terms," replied Mr. Hicks.

  Miss Eliza McKnight had thought that Mr. Hicks's invitation to a walk in the garden, was a good omen for her; but that last reply was overwhelming. When she got into the house, she told her sister Rosa and Mr. Sebastian (who had come with them), that it was time for them to be going home.

  The company all left in good time for getting home. As Mr. Stephens was taking leave, Mrs. Boswell said, "Papa, I will not trouble you with any bundle, for mamma, as I have already sent her some of all the good things we

  A short time before Mr. Preble and Mr. Hicks were expected back at the Cottage, Evelina said to her Aunt Priscilla, "Aunt, I suppose we shall have Mr. Hicks here with papa, to-night, as his riding-horse was left here. What would you advise me to do, aunt; shall I go down to supper or not?—I dislike very much to go into his company, again, and I don't think I can treat him with common politeness, if I go."

  "My dear Evelina, I would advise you to go; your father was a good deal nettled at your not going to Selma, and I think you should avoid, as much as possible, giving additional cause of offence, particularly at a time when you stand so much in need of his kind consideration for you. He will, no doubt, invite this gentleman to stay all night, and if he stays, I think it will be treating your father with disrespect not to assist him in entertaining his company."

  "Well, aunt, if you think so, I will go down and make an effort not to be rude to this man, whom I think I despise more than I do anybody else in the world."

  Mary then told them that the carriage had returned, and that the gentlemen were in the parlour. Shortly afterwards, Mr. Preble sent for Evelina to come down. She obeyed the summons without going to her toilet. Instead of endeavouring to improve her appearance she would rather that night have frightened Mr. Hicks away by her uncomeliness, than to have been in his sight a perfect Hebe. But her loveliness, "when unadorned," was "adorned the most;" and Mr. Hicks thought as she

  "You can't think," said he, "Miss Preble, how much pleasure you have missed in not making one of the party at Selma, to-day. I do not think that I have ever been at a more agreeable dinner party."

  "I have no doubt, sir, that every effort was made on the part of your entertainers, to make it agreeable to their visiters."

  "Your absence was very much regretted, Miss Preble, by your friends; and many inquiries were made of me as to the cause of your not being there, which inquiries I was entirely unable to answer."

  "I think it rather strange, sir, that they should have made the inquiries of a stranger, and not of my father, who ought to have been presumed to know better than yourself, what had kept me at home."

  "I believe they made the same inquiries of him, miss. Did they not ask you, Mr. Preble, what had prevented your daughter from going, to-day?"

  "Yes, sir," said Mr. Preble; "but I am sure I was as unable as yourself to assign any good reason for her not going."

  "I heard some conjectures, miss, by one of your female friends, as to your reasons for staying at home. Miss Eliza McKnight had her notions upon the subject, but I am not at liberty to say what they were."

  "I have not the smallest inclination, sir, to hear the conjectures of Miss Eliza McKnight upon a subject which she could have known nothing about."

  "I guess Miss Eliza is rather a cute one, from what I have seen."

  "I do not exactly know what you mean by cute, sir; but if she formed any conjecture (coming near the reality) of what kept me at home, she must have more sagacity than most people."

  "I'll tell you what she had sagacity enough to find out, miss; she says you are very much of an anti-abolitionist—that she does not think you would ever agree to live in a free state."

  "In that, sir, I will give her credit for just as much sagacity as she is entitled to, for having discovered, and truthfully related, what my feelings are upon that subject."

  "If you were to go to a free state, miss, and experience the real happiness resulting from the fact that every one around you was just as free as yourself, your prejudices would be soon laid aside, and you would be astonished that you could ever have enjoyed anything like happiness in a country where there are so many human beings in a state of bondage."

  "Those persons, sir, who have been born among slaves, and have enjoyed happiness among them, and know how happy the slaves are, too, had better remain where they are, instead of seeking for a larger amount of happiness where it may not be found. And on the other hand, persons who have found their happiness in countries where slavery does not exist, had better content themselves to remain—their views and feelings being suited to that state of things."

  "Your views, miss, would produce an entire stoppage of matrimony between citizens of the free and slave states.

  "I have expressed no opinion, sir, and mean to express none upon that particular occurrence. They have exercised their pleasure upon the subject, and it is not for me to say whether it is right or wrong."

  "Suppose you were to marry a gentleman who, after marriage, wished to reside in a free state; would you not think it your duty to submit to his decision, and go wherever he wished you to go?"

  "If I were to marry a gentleman, resident of this state, and his interest called him to a free state, I should, of course, sir, not object to his removal, although it might be very much against my inclination."

  "I have known many instances of that kind to occur, miss. Ministers, for instance, often receive calls, and accept them, too; and leave slave-holding states for the free. A minister's wife, I presume, would not hesitate, when his interest called him to a free state, cheerfully to obey the call?"

  "I presume not, sir, if she loved her husband as I suppose all good ministers' wives do; and, if a wider field of usefulness lay before him in a free, than in a slave state, it would be sinful in his wife to wish him to disobey the call."

  "Distinguished ministers, who occupy country parishes in the South, are very apt to receive calls from our Northern cities; and from the reputation of our friend, the Rev. Mr. Grattan, I guess it is not improbable that he may receive a northern call, some time or other."

  "The Rev. Mr. Grattan, sir, will be faithful in dis-

  Evelina could stand such conversation no longer, and left the parlour. Her father had been reading a newspaper, during the latter part of the conversation above detailed; and when Evelina retired, his paper was laid aside.

  "Have you a father living, Mr. Hicks?" said he.

  "Yes, sir; my father is an importing merchant in Boston. He owns several ships, and has some important adventures now upon the ocean."

  "His business, then, I suppose, is profitable?"

  "Yes, sir; he is engaged in the East India trade, with a partner residing in Salem; and they have been very successful. I suppose my father, sir, can't be worth less than half a million of dollars."

  "A large family, I suppose?"

  "No, sir; I have only two brothers, and one sister, who married a wealthy merchant in Salem. I guess he's almost as wealthy as my father. One of my brothers is doing a good business for himself; the other is a youth, at school; and, when I get back, I expect to join my father in business; so you see, sir, we are a thrifty family."

  "Very, indeed, sir."

  "Mr. Preble, the subject upon which I was talking to you, to-day, on our way to Selma, is one that I have much at heart; but I very much fear I shall have to abandon it, as I should rather infer that Miss Evelina's affections are engaged. I hear from various sources that there is a good understanding between herself and the Rev. Mr. Grattan, and the manner in which she speaks of that reverend gentleman confirms the reports."

  "She shall never marry Mr. Grattan, sir, as long as my head is above ground."

  "I am very much at a loss, sir, to determine what course to pursue; my affection for your daughter is a very sincere one, but then there is no use in cherishing it, if it is not reciprocated."

  "As I told you this morning, Mr. Hicks, I never will force her to marry against her own inclination; and I again repeat, that she shall never marry against mine."

  "Does your daughter know of your determination, Mr. Preble?"

  "Yes, sir, he is fully apprised of it."

  "Suppose you again speak to her on the subject, Mr. Preble, and perhaps when she finds that it will be folly for her to cherish a passion for an individual whom she can never marry, her affections may be transferred to another."

  "I will think about it, sir. In the mean time, it would be well not to be too precipitate, and to give her time to become better acquainted with you."

  "I think you are right, sir; as Miss Evelina herself has frequently spoken of our being strangers to each other."

  The next morning Miss Evelina was at her seat at the breakfast table, where the conversation carried on between Mr. Hicks and her father was not of sufficient interest to relate. After breakfast Mr. Hicks ordered his horse, and rode over to Major Scott's. George Preble brought his wife over that morning to see his Aunt Priscilla, for the first time since his marriage.

  "My dear children," said Miss Priscilla, with one hand

  "Aunt," said Mrs. Preble, "your solicitude for our welfare, and your prayers for our protection, will, I trust, come in aid of what I hope is the natural disposition of both George and myself, to avoid evil, and that we shall be preserved from those contaminations which you so much apprehend."

  "My dear, we should not trust to any natural disposition to good which we may imagine we possess; we are all by nature poor sinful creatures, and it is only by the grace of God that we can be kept from indulging the sinful instigations of the carnal heart."

  "My dear aunt," said George, "you should not look only on the dark side of the picture which your imagination has painted, but turn it over and look at the bright side too—portray George Preble and his wife, after an absence of five years, returned from California with happiness and wealth."

  "Ah! George, there you have coupled two things—happiness and wealth, which, so far from being inseparable, are rarely found to unite. My dear child, how can an enfeebled poor old creature like myself, form, in imagination, the outlines of a picture, five years before its representations are to be realized? When you return five years hence, that picture (pointing to her own likeness) may be the only remembrancer of one who never ceased, during life, to mourn your absence."

  Evelina, whose heart was too full for her to join in the conversation, was in tears on her aunt's bed, and when this last sentence reached her ears, her grief became violent.

  "Come, Lina, you and aunt must cheer up; we don't intend to go for two months, yet."

  "George," said Miss Priscilla, "Evelina has been considerate enough to keep from me your intention of selling your negroes, but Mary brought me your advertisement, and I was really shocked to learn that you were going to sell negroes when there is no necessity for doing so."

  "My dear aunt, there is a necessity for my selling; I can't carry them to California."

  "But, George, necessity we make ourselves, is no excuse for doing an improper act; the plea of necessity should only be used when that necessity is the result of circumstances over which we have no control. This very necessity which you talk of, should have prevented your going to California."

  "Well, aunt, it's too late now; the people have been informed that my negroes are to be sold on the 15th, and I can't disappoint the public; the sale must go on. I have

  "Those horrors, George, can't be altogether gotten rid of. I have also seen Mr. Benson's advertisement, and he will make no effort to mitigate the horrors of his sale."

  "Aunt, I am entirely outdone with Benson; I did not, until within a few days past, understand his real character. I am much concerned that my college acquaintance with him should have brought him here, and caused him to be so nearly connected with us; but I couldn't help it, his first trip to Virginia was entirely voluntary, I never thought of inviting him to come to see me; the fact is, I had forgotten there was such a human being upon earth, until the day I returned from that memorable trip and found him here. He has brought, too, another Yankee here, for whom I feel a thorough contempt. What brings him so often to the Cottage, Lina? he seems to be domesticated here, riding to parties in papa's carriage, and staying with you all night."

  "Indeed, George," said Evelina, "you must ask him and papa what brings him here, and what caused him to stay last night; I had nothing to do with it, and if I had my way, he should never darken our doors again. You can't contemn him more thoroughly, George, than I do."

  "I never for a moment believed that it was any of your doings, Lina; and as soon as I saw him get out of the carriage, yesterday, I knew very well why you were not there, and approved highly of your prudence. I know of but one way for you to get rid of that chap."

  "What is that, George? for I should rejoice to find out a way."

  "Well, I am very certain that pa won't part with any of his property during his life, especially his negroes; now, if pa would just tell him so, he'd be off in a minute. That fellow, you may depend, has his eye upon negroes, he wants to make just such a speculation as Cousin Bob has made, and if he could get hold of them, you would see just such another advertisement as Cousin Bob's."

  "George," said Mrs. Preble, "you should not be so severe upon the Yankees, you should recollect how closely we are now connected with Cousin Bob, as you call him."

  "Now, Julia, you know you have no better feeling for Cousin Bob and Cousin Hicks than I have; indeed nobody seems to take to Cousin Hicks but Eliza McKnight, and if her father had a few more negroes, I think Cousin Hicks would take to her, a little more than he does."

  "She evidently seemed pleased with his attention, yesterday," said Mrs. Preble; "and when they returned from their walk in the garden at Selma, she looked as if something had disconcerted her."

  "I observed Hicks," said George, "in conversation with old Uncle Robin, and have a great curiosity to know what he was talking about. He is very unguarded in his remarks about slavery, and it is very probable that he was talking with him upon that subject. Uncle Robin would be too hard for him there."

  George excused himself to his Aunt Priscilla for their short visit, alleging business of importance which would call him to town, after his return to Major Scott's. In their absence, Mr. Hicks had reached the Major's, where he found his cousin Bob alone in the parlour, ruminating as usual.

  "Cousin," said he, "I have on hand a little love matter I've never told you of. Isn't Evelina Preble a sweet creature? I have a strong notion of addressing her. The old gentleman and myself have talked the matter over, and I think he's right well pleased at the prospect of having me for his son-in-law."

  "What! did you begin with the old man first, Dick? that really is business-like. What did he say he would give her, Dick? when you begin with the old folks, it should be a matter of trade, sir, trade."

  "There wasn't one word said about that, but I guess the old chap was right willing to hear something about my affairs, for he made many inquiries about father's property, the number of children, &c."

  "Then he's willing for the adventure, without putting in any capital. Ah! Dick, that's the old one exactly. I heard George say, when I was in Virginia before, that his father would never part with one cent's worth of his property, during his life. We, you know, Dick, go for mutual risk and mutual profit in trade."

  "Well, cousin, did you in your own case take care that there should be a pledge of capital before you made the adventure?"

  "No, but in my case it was different; there was every reasonable expectation, which was not dashed by the knowledge of any peculiar fondness for property's remaining in hand during life. In trade, Dick, we sometimes embark in speculation, upon reasonable probabilities—never against them, however."

  "Upon my word, cousin, you haven't made trade your study for nothing. I'll see into this matter a little fur-