“I donno as missis is to home or not--leastwise she’s berry po’ly,” she said, drawing herself up in grim majesty, for Judge Camden’s evil deed was known in the kitchen as well as in the parlor, and deeply resented. “Wha’ fer she come pokin’ aroun’ here arter her old grandad done act so shameful? S’pose he done sent her to see how po’ ole miss takes it to be turn outer house an’ home like dis?” thought Aunt Dinah, angrily, and Amber read her thought. “Oh, Aunt Dinah, please don’t be angry with me for my grandfather’s doings! I am so sorry he has foreclosed the mortgage, and I came to tell dear Mrs. Grant that I am ashamed of it all,” cried the beauty, so sweetly that the old woman’s anger was at once disarmed, and with returning smiles, she ushered the visitor into the large, shabby parlor, with its faded carpet and curtains, and took the card to her mistress. Mrs. Grant was in her own cozy little sitting-room, lying dejectedly upon a sofa drawn near the glowing wood-fire in the grate, and she looked with a weary frown at the bit of pasteboard, exclaiming: “Amber Laurens! Why, what does the girl want with me? I should think she would have better taste than to come to Bonnycastle now.” “Oh, missis, she tole me dat she am real sorry her grandad act so ugly by you, and she come to tell you so. An’, missis, she am got on de beautifulest gown I ebber seen, all black and yaller silk, and de fines’ hat, black velvit wid yaller canary birds onto it, as nateral as life! I sholy did like dem fine clothes!” admitted Aunt Dinah. “But, Dinah, I do not feel well enough to see callers to-day. You must tell Miss Laurens to excuse me,” murmured the lady, shrinking from a meeting with any of the household from Golden Willows. “Oh, sho, now, missis, you can see her jes’ as well’s not, for you needn’t go down to de parlor room at all. She can come to de settin’-room, and talk ter yer, layin’ dere so comf’able, dere now,” urged Aunt Dinah, thinking that the call might divert the lady’s melancholy thoughts. “Oh, very well, Dinah; bring her in here, then. You will always have your way,” sighed Mrs. Grant, and the old woman retreated, chuckling, and soon ushered the beautiful young visitor into the presence of her mistress. “Dear Mrs. Grant, will you pardon me for coming at this time? Oh, I could not help it! My heart ached for your trouble. I had to come and tell you how grieved and sorry I am, and how ashamed of poor grandpapa, who is getting so old that he is too much under the influence of his lawyers. They have persuaded him to do this grasping thing, I know; but although I have begged and begged him not to do it, he will not listen to me. Oh, do say you will not blame me!” Mrs. Grant had risen in her iciest manner to receive the unwelcome guest, but Amber’s gushing outburst completely disarmed her hostility. She took the outstretched hand and lightly kissed the inviting, upturned lips.