no matter what their color may be--wickedness has a
strange attraction for them. It was the peril in which she considered
Dolf, that made Clo so lenient towards him; it would be such a triumph
to win him from his wicked ways, and lead him up to a height where he
would be secure from the craft of the evil one, and what was more
important, beyond the wiles of that yellow girl Victoria, who was
regarded by her fellow-servants as a direct emissary of the prince of
darkness.

Clo labored faithfully with 'Dolf, though it must be confessed she
allowed her religious instructions to be diversified with a little more
love-making than would have been quite sanctioned by her class leader,
and for the first time in her life became extravagant in the matter of
dress, wearing the most gorgeous bandannas every day, and even adopting
an immense crinoline, which she managed so badly that it was constantly
bringing her into grotesque difficulties, to Victoria's intense delight.

Of course these females, like their betters, never quarreled openly
about Dolf, but they found endless subjects of dispute to improve upon,
and sometimes that adroit fellow got into serious difficulty with both
by attempting to mediate between them.

On occasions the sable rivals would hide their bitterness under smiles
and good nature, and appear almost affectionate after the influence of a
sudden truce; but Dolf learned to dread those seasons of deceitful calm,
for they were the sure precursors of an unusually fierce tempest, which,
blowing in opposite directions, it was impossible for him to escape.

These three restless persons went out one evening to pay a visit to some
sable friends in the neighborhood, where the colored gentry often met
and had choice little entertainments; where the eatables came from
perhaps it would not have been wise for their employers to inquire.

Old Mrs. Hopkins and her fascinating daughter, Miss Dinah, were the
possessors of this abode, and Clo and Victoria had for some time been
promising Dolf a visit there. That night seemed a favorable occasion for
the expedition, as a store of fruit pies, blanc mange and chicken salad,
had that day been moulded by Clo's own expert hands, and half a jelly
cake set aside in the closet ready for the basket which took so many
mysterious journeys in Mrs. Hopkins' direction.

"I nebber sends back pieces to de table," said Clo; "it's wulgar."

"In course it is," returned Dolf; "I'se sure nothing