The issues presented by the great conflict between liberty and slavery do not grow less important from year to year. On the contrary, their interest increases with every step in the development of the national career. Never has there been a crisis in the history of this nation so momentous as the present. If ever a nation was raised up by Divine Providence, and led forth upon a conspicuous stage, as if for the express purpose of solving a great moral problem in the sight of all mankind, it is this nation. God in his providence is now asking the American people, Is the system of slavery, as set forth in the American slave code, _right_? Is it so desirable, that you will directly establish it over broad regions, where, till now, you have solemnly forbidden it to enter? And this question the American people are about to answer. Under such circumstances the writer felt that no apology was needed for once more endeavoring to do something towards revealing to the people the true character of that system. If the people are to establish such a system, let them do it with their eyes open, with all the dreadful realities before them. One liberty has been taken which demands acknowledgment in the outset. The writer has placed in the mouth of one of her leading characters a judicial decision of Judge Ruffin, of North Carolina, the boldness, clearness, and solemn eloquence of which have excited admiration both in the Old World and the New. The author having no personal acquaintance with that gentleman, the character to whom she attributes it is to be considered as created merely on a principle of artistic fitness. To maintain the unity of the story, some anachronisms with regard to the time of the session of courts have been allowed; for works of fiction must sometimes use some liberties in the grouping of incidents. But as mere cold art, unquickened by sympathy with the spirit of the age, is nothing, the author hopes that those who now are called to struggle for all that is noble in our laws and institutions may find in this book the response of a sympathizing heart. CONTENTS. CHAPTER I. PAGE THE MISTRESS OF CANEMA 1 CHAPTER II. CLAYTON 11 CHAPTER III. THE CLAYTON FAMILY AND SISTER ANNE 22 CHAPTER IV. THE GORDON FAMILY 31 CHAPTER V. HARRY AND HIS WIFE 50 CHAPTER VI. THE DILEMMA 66 CHAPTER VII. CONSULTATION 77 CHAPTER VIII. OLD TIFF 82 CHAPTER IX. THE DEATH 101 CHAPTER X. THE PREPARATION 106 CHAPTER XI. THE LOVERS 116 CHAPTER XII. EXPLANATIONS 129 CHAPTER XIII. TOM GORDON 145 CHAPTER XIV. AUNT NESBIT'S LOSS 162 CHAPTER XV. MR. JEKYL'S OPINIONS 172 CHAPTER XVI.