After this she began to improve rapidly. Her strength of body and cheerfulness returned. About this time my peace of mind began to be restored. Of my poor mother I never spoke, after hearing the particulars that followed her death. She was hurriedly buried, without psalm or sermon. No notice was taken by the citizens of her murder--why should there be? She was but a poor slave, grown old and gray in the service of the white man; and if her master chose to whip her to death, who had a right to gainsay him? She was his property to have and to hold; to use or to kill, as he thought best! Give us no more Fourth of July celebrations; the rather let us have a Venetian oligarchy! Miss Nancy, in her kind, persuasive manner, soon lured my thoughts away from such gloomy contemplations. She sought to point out the pleasant, easy pathway of wisdom and religion, and I thank her now for the good lessons she then taught me! Beneath such influence I gradually grew reconciled to my troubles. Miss Nancy fervently prayed that they might be sanctified to my eternal good; and so may they! Louise came often to see me, and I found her then as now, the kindest and most willing friend; everything that she could do to please me she did. She brought me many gifts of books, flowers, fruits, &c. I may have been petulant and selfish in my grief; but those generous friends bore patiently with me. Pleasant walks I used to take with Henry of evenings, and he was then so full of hope, for he had almost realized the sum of money that his master required of him. "Master will be down early in September," he said, as we strolled along one evening in August, "and I think by borrowing a little from Miss Nancy, I shall be able to pay down all that I owe him, and then, dearest, I shall be free--free! only think of it! Of _me_ being a free man, master of _myself_! and when we go to the North we will be married, and both of us will live with Miss Nancy, and guard her declining days." Happy tears were shining in his bright eyes, like dew-pearls; but, with a strong, manly hand he dashed them away, and I clung the fonder to that arm, that I hoped would soon be able to protect me. "There is one foolish little matter, dearest, that I will mention, more to excite your merriment, than fear," said Henry with an odd smile. "What is it?" "Well, promise me not to care about it; only let it give you a good laugh." "Yes, I promise." "Well," and he paused for a moment, "there is a girl living near the G---- House. She belongs to Mr. Bodley, and has taken a foolish fancy to me; has actually made advances, even more than advances, actual offers of love! She says she used to know you, and, on one occasion, attempted to speak discreditably of you; though I quickly gave her to understand that I would not listen to it. Why do you tremble so, Ann?" And truly I trembled so violently, that if it had not been for the support that his arm afforded me, I should have fallen to the ground.