him
to interfere. He had, for some minutes, hovered near, perceiving some kind
of conspiracy, and thinking that his presence would be less observed than
that of either of the ladies; and at his near approach, the aggrieved,
accused, discomfited Matilda, whose eyes had been long cast on the ground,
ventured to look up; for although she had a considerable general feeling
of awe for Mr. Harewood, yet she had the most perfect reliance on his
justice and kindness; and ashamed and conscious of past error as she now
was, she yet felt assured of his protection and mercy.

The moment her eye met his, she felt all her hopes confirmed; and in the
joy and exultation it gave her, she acquired strength to burst through the
crowd; rushing forward, she sought refuge in his arms, and laid her burning
cheek on the kind hand he extended towards her.

Ellen, at this moment, was, for the first time, attended to, as she cried
out, with still stronger pathos--"Dear papa, I am so glad you are here! for
you will tell us the _truth_--you will convince every body, that people in
the West Indies do not torture their poor slaves for nothing but their own
wicked pleasure."

"My dear little advocate, as I have never been in the West Indies, I have
no right to contradict such evidence as has been brought forward by
respectable witnesses."

A cry of exultation began to pass the lips of the Euston party; but they
were silent, as Mr. Harewood began to speak again.

"I am the more inclined to think these cruelties may sometimes take place
in our islands, because I have myself witnessed similar effects in this
country, where the barbarians who practised them were much curtailed in
their power, and proved rather the disposition than the actual treatment
of which you speak towards their unhappy victims."

"Indeed!" exclaimed they, with anxious curiosity, pressing nearer to the
speaker.

"Yes," added Mr. Harewood, raising his voice, and assuming a serious
aspect, "I have this very evening heard words applied to the heart of an
unoffending individual, more painful than the lash, and seen looks directed
against her, more torturing than any of the hateful operations you have
mentioned; and I have not the least hesitation in saying, that those who
could thus treat an amiable fellow-creature, and one who, as a stranger,
is thrown upon their kindness, and entitled at least to their politeness,
would, if they had the power, wound the body also, and might, by