at her master's feet, and ask what had induced him to sell her.
But she dared not. He cast upon her a glance of such spurning
contempt that she cringed before him. But she made up her mind
that God only could have moved that stern, proud man to change
a purpose which he had declared to be inflexible. She was right.
God, who controls all hearts, and can turn them withersoever he pleases,
in answer to prayer, had moved that stubborn heart.

Thus the first part of Tidy's new prayer was answered.


CHAPTER XVII.

TRUE LIBERTY.

THE new home of Mr. Meesham was in Mobile. The master was an unmarried
man, who wanted a capable superintendent for his domestic concerns,
a neat, lady-like servant to wait upon his table, a trustworthy
keeper of his keys, a leader and director of his household slaves.
All this he found in Tidy, and when she was promoted to the head
of the establishment, dressed in becoming apparel, with plenty
of food at her command, pleasant, easy work to do, and leisure
enough for rest and enjoyment, perhaps you think she was happy.

Ah, she was still a slave, and every day she was painfully reminded of it.
She could not exercise her own judgment, nor act according to her own
sense of right. She must walk in the way her master pointed out,
and do his bidding. Whatever comforts she could pick up as she
went along, she was welcome to; but she must have no choice or will
of her own.