I strayed on till I reached the parlors, and they burst upon me with the necromantic power of Aladdin's hall. A continuity of four apartments rolled away into a seeming mist, and the adroit position of a mirror multiplied their number and added greatly to the gorgeous effect. There were purple and golden curtains, with their many tinsel ornaments; carpets of the gayest style, from the richest looms. "Etruscan vases, quaint and old" adorned the mantel-shelf, and easy divans and lounges of mosaic-velvet were ranged tastefully around. An arcade, with its stately pillars, divided two of the rooms, and the inter-columniations were ornamented with statues and statuettes; and upon a marble table, in the centre of one of the apartments, was a blooming magnolia, the first one I had ever seen! That strange and mysterious odor, that, like a fine, inner, sub-sense, pervades the nerve with a quickening power, stole over me! I stood before the flower in a sort of delicious, delirious joy. There, with its huge fan-like leaves of green, this pure white blossom, queen of all the tribe of flowers, shed its glorious perfume and unfolded its mysterious beauty. It seemed that a new life was opening upon me. Surely, I said, this _is_ fairy land. For more than an hour I lingered beside that splendid magnolia, vainly essaying to drink in its glory and its mystery. Miss Jane and Mr. Summerville had gone out to take a drive over the city, and I was comparatively free, in their absence, to go whithersoever I pleased. Whilst I still loitered near the flower, a very sweet but manly voice asked: "Do you love flowers?" I turned hastily, and to my surprise, beheld a fine-looking gentleman standing in close contiguity to me. With pleasure I think now of his broad, open face, written all over with love and kindness; his deep, fervid blue eye, that wore such a gentle expression; and the scant, yet fair hair that rolled away from his magnificent forehead! He appeared to be slightly upwards of fifty; but I am sure from his face, that those fifty years had been most nobly spent. I trembled as I replied: "Yes, I am very fond of flowers." He noticed my embarrassment, and smiled most benignantly. "Did you ever see a magnolia before?" "Is this a magnolia?" I inquired, pointing to the luxurious flower. "Yes, and one of the finest I ever saw. It belongs to the South. Are you sure you never saw one before?" He fixed his eyes inquiringly upon me as I answered: "Oh, quite sure, sir; I never was ten miles from my master's farm in my life." "You are a slave?" "Yes, sir, I am." He waited a moment, then said: "Are you happy?" I dared not tell a falsehood, yet to have truly stated my feelings, would have been dangerous; so I evasively replied: "Yes, as much so as most slaves." I thought I heard him sigh, as he slowly moved away.