"For to-night, express your sentiments and feelings on the subject as
calmly and moderately as you can, and enjoin it upon him to act in
accordance with them. Then we may consider at our leisure what further
measures can be taken."

"Papa, you are so much wiser and better than I," she said, with loving
admiration, "I'm afraid if you had not been here to advise me, I should
have sent him away at once, with never a thought of crops or anything
except securing my people from his cruelties."

"You should never allow yourself to act from mere impulse, except it be
unquestionably a right one, and the case admitting of no time for
deliberation. As to my superior wisdom," he added with a smile, "I have
lived some years longer than you, and had more experience in the
management of business matters."

"I am very sorry, my darling, that the pleasure of your return to the home
of your infancy should be so marred. But you have scarcely taken a look
yet at even this room. What do you think of it?"

She glanced about her with freshly aroused curiosity and interest. "Papa,
it is just to my taste!"

The firelight gleamed upon rare old cabinets, gems of art in painting and
statuary, and rich, massive, well-preserved, though old-fashioned sofas,
chairs, tables, etc. But it was already growing dark, deep shadows were
gathering in the more distant parts of the spacious apartment, and only
near the fire could objects be distinctly seen. Elsie was about to ring
for lights, when Sarah, the mulatto girl, appeared, bringing them, Chloe
following close in the rear.