er us temporarily, but they have not broken our
spirit, and cannot take away our superiority of blood and breeding. In
time we shall regain control. The negro is an inferior creature; God
has marked him with the badge of servitude, and has adjusted his
intellect to a servile condition. We will not long submit to his
domination. I give you a toast, sir: The Anglo-Saxon race: may it
remain forever, as now, the head and front of creation, never yielding
its rights, and ready always to die, if need be, in defense of its
liberties!"

"With all my heart, sir," replied Tryon, who felt in this company a
thrill of that pleasure which accompanies conscious superiority,--"with
all my heart, sir, if the ladies will permit me."

"We will join you," they replied. The toast was drunk with great
enthusiasm.

"And now, my dear George," exclaimed the doctor, "to change one good
subject for another, tell us who is the favored lady?"

"A Miss Rowena Warwick, sir," replied Tryon, vividly conscious of four
pairs of eyes fixed upon him, but, apart from the momentary
embarrassment, welcoming the subject as the one he would most like to
speak upon.

"A good, strong old English name," observed the doctor.

"The heroine of 'Ivanhoe'!" exclaimed Miss Harriet.

"Warwick the Kingmaker!" said Miss Mary. "Is she tall and fair, and
dignified and stately?"

"She is tall, dark rather than fair, and full of tender grace and sweet
humility."

"She should have been named Rebecca instead of Rowena," rejoined Miss
Mary, who was well up in her Scott.

"Tell us something about her people," asked Mrs. Green,--to which
inquiry the young ladies looked assent.

In this meeting of the elect of his own class and kin Warwick felt a
certain strong illumination upon the value of birth and blood. Finding
Rena among people of the best social standing, the subsequent
intimation that she was a girl of no family had seemed a small matter
to one so much in love. Nevertheless, in his present company he felt a
decided satisfaction in being able to present for his future wife a
clean bill of social health.

"Her brother is the most prominent lawyer of Clarence. They live in a
fine old family mansion, and are among the best people of the town."

"Quite right, my boy," assented the doctor. "None but the best are good
enough for the best. You must bring her to Patesville some day. But
bless my life!" he exclaimed, looking at his watch, "I must be going.
W