Before I had time to offer her any consolation, the subject of conversation himself stood among us. With a low, tuneful voice, he spoke to Amy, inquiring the cause of her tears. "Oh, young Masser, I did not mean any harm. Please don't hab me beat." Little Ben joined in her tears, whilst the two girls clung fondly to her dress. "Beaten for what?" asked young master, in a most encouraging manner. "She say she lub you--jist as if a black wench hab any right to lub a beautiful white gemman," put in Nace. "I am glad she does, and wish that I could do something that would make her love me more." And a _beatific_ smile overspread his peaceful face. "Come, poor Amy, let me see if I haven't some little present for you," and he drew from his pocket a picayune, which he handed her. With a wild and singular contortion of her body, she made an acknowledgment of thanks, and kissing the hem of his robe, she darted off from the kitchen, with little Ben in her arms. Without saying one word, young master walked away from the kitchen, but not without first casting a sorrowful look upon Nace. Strange it seemed to me, that this noble youth never administered a word of reproof to any one. He conveyed all rebukes by means of looks. Upon me this would have produced a greater impression, for those mild, reproachful eyes spoke with a power which no language could equal; but on one of Nace's obtuseness, it had no effect whatever. Shortly after, I left the kitchen, and went to the breakfast-room, where, with the utmost expedition, I arranged the table, and then repaired to the chamber of the young ladies. I found that they had already risen from their bed. Miss Bradly (who had spent the night with them) was standing at the mirror, braiding her long hair. Miss Jane was seated in a large chair, with an elegant dressing-wrapper, waiting for me to comb her "auburn hair," as she termed it. Miss Tildy, in a lazy attitude, was talking about the events of the previous evening. "Now, Miss Emily, I do think him very handsome; but I cannot forgive his gross Abolition sentiments." "How horribly vulgar and low he is in his notions," said Miss Jane. "Oh, but, girls, he was reared in the North, with those fanatical Abolitionists, and we can scarcely blame him." "What a horrible set of men those Abolitionists must be. They have no sense," said Miss Jane, with quite a Minerva air.