The Dr., small in every respect, entered with an air of triumph, while Mrs. Ray followed; pity, self-reproach and curiosity strangely blending in the expression with which she looked upon her lodger. Daph met their glance with quiet composure. In her heart she had been giving thanks to the merciful God, who had raised up for her a new and powerful friend, and fresh from the presence of her Divine Master, she could look on those who had injured her, without one taint of bitterness. Diedrich Stuyvesant had spoken often in the councils of his country, and to his clear, calm voice, none had failed to listen, for he ever spoke with the power of reason and truth. Now, he stood with the dignity of one accustomed to be heard, as he looked for a moment in silence on the accusers. Then, in a short, clear statement, he told the story of the humble negro, who listened with wonder, as he named with admiration and respect the acts which she had performed, guided by her own loving heart, and upheld by simple faith in “the great Lord” of all. Sternness and contempt struggled for mastery in the voice of Diedrich Stuyvesant, as in concluding, he turned towards Dr. Bates, and said, “As for you, young man, look at that dark-skinned, ignorant woman, from whom you would have lightly taken her only wealth,--her good name,--which is above all price!” “Think of your own fair skin, you deem so superior,--of the education you rightly value,--the Christian teaching that has been sounded in your ears since childhood, and then say what good work you have done in this world! What have you to bring forward in comparison with the heroism and self-sacrifice of this poor woman, whom you despised? Young man, think twice, if you are capable of thought, before you again peril the good name of the industrious poor, who are under the especial care of the great Father in Heaven! Explore the secrets of your profession, but honor the sanctity of every humble home, and pry not into those things which a lawful pride and an honorable delicacy would hide from the eye of a stranger. Know, young man, that you have this day broken the laws of this free country, where no honest citizen can be deprived of liberty, on bare suspicion, and you yourself merit the punishment you would have brought on the guiltless. But go! I would do you no harm. Go, and be a wiser and better man for what you have heard to-day!”