think he is a Yankee, by his talk."

"Pray, ask him to send his name."

"Yes, ma'am," said the chambermaid, retiring.

Emily was puzzled by the request, and, judging from the girl's
description that it could not be Maxwell, began to dread a new enemy.

The chambermaid presently returned, and said the gentleman's name was
Benson.

Emily's perplexity was not diminished, but she resolved to see the
applicant at the door of the room, so that, if his errand was from
Maxwell, she could easily retire from his presence. Accordingly she
instructed the girl to show him to the door on the gallery.

"I beg your pardon, ma'am," said Uncle Nathan, as soon as he reached the
position assigned him; "you are Miss Dumont, I believe?"

"The same," said she, as calmly as her fluttering heart would permit.
"May I beg to know your business with me?"

"Yes, ma'am," said Uncle Nathan, bluntly; "but don't be scart. I know
something of your trials; and I trust the Lord will give you strength to
endure them with patience."

"Really, sir, you astonish me! May I be allowed to ask how you became
acquainted with my affairs?"

"All in good time, ma'am; I have in my possession a document, which, I'm
told, will set matters all right with you."

"What is it, sir?"--and Emily was still more astonished at the
singularity of the adventure.

"_It is your father's will_, ma'am," replied Uncle Nathan, disdaining
all preface and preliminary to this important remark.

"My father's will, sir! Impossible!"

"Fact, ma'am. I will tell you all about it," and Uncle Nathan proceeded,
in his own blunt way, to relate his adventures in the hold.

Emily listened with surprise and joy to the honest farmer's story. When
he had concluded, although she did not give way to the joy of her heart,
a change from the depth of despair to the pinnacle of happiness took
place in her silent heart. How devoutly she thanked the great Father
who had watched over her in her anguish, and now shed a halo of joy
across her darkened path! How earnest was the silent prayer which arose
from the depths of her heart, for the safety of the faithful slave, who
had perilled his life for her happiness! How deeply laden with the
incense of gratitude was the song of thanksgiving which rose from her
soul to the Giver of all good!

And when Uncle Nathan told the story of the duel, a new song of
thanksgiving arose for Henry's safety. The joy she felt in his
preservation would not be enti