that point so sharp? It could not! a mother would not entail such
misery on her offspring. That name, so full of associations dear to
me-so full of a mother's love and tenderness,-could not reflect
pain. Nay; her affections were bestowed upon me,-I love to treasure
them, I do. To tell me that a mother would entail misery without an
end, is to tell me that the spirit of love is without good!"

"Do not make yourself unhappy, Clotilda. Perhaps you are as well
with us as you would be elsewhere. Even at the free north, in happy
New England, ladies would not take the notice of you we do: many of
your class have died there, poor and wretched, among the most
miserable creatures ever born to a sad end. And you are not black-"

"All is not truth that is told for such," Clotilda interrupts
Franconia. "If I were black, my life would have but one stream: now
it is terrible with uncertainty. As I am, my hopes and affections
are blasted."

"Sit down, Clotilda," rejoins Franconia, quickly.

Clotilda, having lavished her skill on Franconia's hair, seats
herself by her side. Franconia affectionately takes her tapering
hand and presses it with her jewelled fingers. "Remember, Clotilda,"
she continues, "all the negroes on the plantation become unhappy at
seeing you fretful. It is well to seem happy, for its influence on
others. Uncle will always provide for Annette and you; and he is
kind. If he pays more attention to Ellen at times, take no notice of
it. Ellen Juvarna is Indian, moved to peculiarities by the instincts
of her race. Uncle is imprudent, I admit; but society is not with us
as it is elsewhere!"