THE MOONLIGHT MEETING.

"I WANT to speak to you," Naomi began "You don't think ill of me for
following you out here? We are not accustomed to stand much on ceremony
in America."

"You are quite right in America. Pray sit down."

She seated herself by my side, looking at me frankly and fearlessly by
the light of the moon.

"You are related to the family here," she resumed, "and I am related
too. I guess I may say to you what I couldn't say to a stranger. I am
right glad you have come here, Mr. Lefrank; and for a reason, sir,
which you don't suspect."

"Thank you for the compliment you pay me, Miss Colebrook, whatever the
reason may be."

She took no notice of my reply; she steadily pursued her own train of
thought.

"I guess you may do some good, sir, in this wretched house," the girl
went on, with her eyes still earnestly fixed on my face. "There is no
love, no trust, no peace, at Morwick Farm. They want somebody here,
except Ambrose. Don't think ill of Ambrose; he is only thoughtless. I
say, the rest of them want somebody here to make them ashamed of their
hard hearts, and their horrid, false, envious ways. You are a
gentleman; you know more than they know; they can't help themselves;
they must look up to _you_. Try, Mr. Lefrank, when you have the