ll, one cannot always help being boastful and silly.'

"Zillah turned rudely in the bed, and I saw her hand clench itself into
the blanket, tearing at the tough fabric. Mrs. Harrington, with that
feeling of household trust which has no consciousness of the
intelligence listening, went on as if the girl were a thousand miles
off.

"'You will not mind if I am a little egotistical. It is so pleasant to
be held supreme in the one heart, to feel sure that no other woman ever
has or can share your influence. If there is a woman on earth that I
pity, it is one who doubts the love of her husband. Thank God I have
never, never had reason to know that pang. If ever two people adored
each other it is us.'

"Perhaps it was a little singular that this lady should talk of the most
sacred domestic relations thus freely before her own servant, but it did
not seem strange to me. A child-like, affectionate woman like her, may
be excused many things that persons prouder and more reticent might
properly avoid; besides, the domestic habits of the south admit of very
close relationship between the mistress and her servants, unknown to
other regions even of our own country. I could only smile an answer to
this wifely enthusiasm, but it seemed to me genuine and so sincere, that
all my sympathy went with it. As for the maid, she lay perfectly still,
listening, and apparently half asleep, for she had gathered the bed
clothes around her, and it was only by a quick glitter that broke
through her eyelashes now and then, that I could detect the interest she
took in this singular conversation.

"'No, no,' said Mrs. Harrington, 'I would not tell the General for the
world, how really perverse Zillah has been. She has never quite met his
approbation I know, and the least thing would set him against her.'

"'Hush, she is listening,' I said.

"Mrs. Harrington turned and saw that Zillah was looking at her with a
strange expression. Something like a mocking smile parted her full lips.

"'You must believe me, Zillah. It was in spite of the General's wish to
leave you behind, that I brought you here.'

"Again Zillah smiled, this time with more of mischief than malice.

"'I know, myself, the General never liked me much. It was master James
that got him to buy me; the General would do anything to please him.'

"'Yes indeed,' replied Mrs. Harrington, addressing me, 'no step-father
was ever so indulgent. James has been a fortunate boy, though he does
n