meal. With wild look and emphatic step Mr. Mordecai entered the
breakfast-room, and stood before the family holding the letter aloft
in his trembling hand. "See here," said he, with a ringing voice,
"read here the story of a child, that sought to break an aged
father's heart. But hear me first. Hear this my oath. This heart
shall not break, I swear it shall not! Leah has gone-fled with a
Christian dog, to become his wife. Read it for yourselves when I am
gone; but hear me, you that remain. Sarah and Frederick. My blessing
shall never rest upon her, living or dying. As she has chosen to
bring sorrow upon the gray hairs of her father, so may God rain
trouble upon her disobedient head. May her children wander,
uncircumcised dogs, friendless, and neglected-as she has neglected
me-upon the face of the earth, ever seeking bread, yet feeling
constant hunger! Despised of her people, and rejected of her
people's God, may she ever feel the need of a friend, and yet find
none! Her disobedience is cursed forever, so I swear it by the God
of Israel! Mark my words, and remember my wrath!" he concluded,
looking fiercely into the eyes of the two children who sat silent
before him. "Read this for yourselves; and then burn it, and scatter
the ashes to the winds." No one made reply to that outburst of
implacable, burning rage, that so consumed the father's heart. They
had never seen him in such a frenzy before. Mr. Mordecai then
hurriedly left the house, and passing Mingo, at the porter's lodge,
went out without a nod of recognition. Urbanely bowing and smiling,
Mingo let his master pass, wondering at this singular breach of his
accustomed politeness.

As the lodge door closed after Mr. Mordecai had passed out, Mingo
bethought him of something, and hastily pursuing his master, said: