r the society into which I am forced to move,
yet you are a slave!"

Della leaned back in her chair a moment; and again held her handkerchief
to her eyes; she controlled herself quickly however, and continued:

"I set the case before you just as it is, Minny; I want you to view it
in its true light--then choose between what I offer you, and what you
must otherwise be. Don't tremble so, Minny; I never have felt towards
you as a mistress would to a slave. When I look back, I remember you
were the only playmate I ever had, the closest and best companion of my
wayward girlhood; and I feel that I have always loved you, always
respected you, and, Minny, I always shall. I am certain, Minn, that
though there may be black blood circling round it, there never was a
purer heart, a nobler soul, than yours. Were it not for my father's sake
your position should be different in this house, but in honor to him I
can only do you good by sending you where your birth and parentage will
ever be a mystery. Minny, dear, will you go?"

The girl had sat during all this time quiet as a statue, at her
mistress's feet. As she heard her stop speaking, she raised herself upon
her knees before her, and clasping her small hands above her,
exclaimed:--

"As God hears me, Miss Della, I would rather stay by you, rather be the
veriest slave that ever breathed, a mere thing to answer to your beck
and call, so that I may be near you, and love you, and do for you, than
to be the wife of the richest white man that ever lived--to be looked
upon as white myself--or to move in those circles which you would fain
believe me fitted for. As God hears me this is true!"

"Heaven bless you, Minny! Then we will never part."

With an exclamation of joy, Minny clasped her young mistress to her
heart, and poured forth, with passionate vehemence, her prayers and
tears and blessings. It seemed as if she could never cease, and Della
twined her fair arms, jeweled, and white, and beautiful, beneath the
thick black curls, which covered Minny's neck, and gave her kiss for
kiss, and tear for tear.

"When I am Bernard's wife, Minn, then I can make you happier. You have
all those dear letters safe, quite safe?"

"I keep them as the apple of my eye, Miss. You can never make me
happier, dear Miss, than I am now. I can never wish to be more blest
than I am this minute."

"Dear Minny, you have a woman's heart, and that must know a woman's
longings. When I have it in my power