Heaven on their side; and by the blessings of that Heaven, while they
do battle in the consciousness of that right, will yet triumph, and
become an independent nation, to which even her present haughty foe
will do reverence?"

"It has," replied the maiden, warmly and with emphasis--"it has, Mr.
Woodburn; and--why should I attempt to conceal it?--and I have
wished--for I could not help it, though against the feelings, and,
perhaps, the best interests of a generally kind parent--I have long
secretly wished, and even prayed, for your success; because I could
not stifle the conviction of the truth of what you assert respecting
the wrongs of the American people, and the justice of their cause."

"Sabrey Haviland," exclaimed the surprised and delighted lover, "as
long as I have respected and loved you, I have never till this moment,
known you--never half appreciated the worth of your character!"

"What you may appreciate highly, sir, others may as highly condemn,"
she meekly responded. "I have said more to you than I have ever
expressed to human being; and I may be wrong--wrong in saying it to
you--wrong in saying it or believing it at all." "Wrong? O, no, no,
noble girl!" he rejoined, with increasing animation; "no, you are not
wrong; you are right--right in your convictions, right in the wish,
the prayer, and the declaration. Men will honor your honest
independence, exercised against so much to bias and prejudice, so much
to tempt and dazzle you; and Heaven will approve and bless you. But
with such sentiments," he added, in tenderly expostulating
accents--"with such sentiments, dear lady, will you doom me to plead
my heart's cause in vain? Will you still adhere to a lover active in
the work of oppression which you condemn, and reject his rival,