"Minny, dear Minny, papa wants you. He sent me for you, and I am certain something terrible is about to happen, his eyes look so strangely. I know Bernard must have come last night, as he said he would, and that is what has made papa seem so silent and angry. He wants to ask you about everything. Oh, Minny, tell him what you choose, but don't give up my precious letters--don't!" Della sank sobbing upon a chair, and Minny, pale as a ghost, glided away, and entered the apartment where Mr. Delancey awaited her. "So, girl, you have chosen to play the go-between for your mistress and a worthless fellow?" Minny was silent. "You who must know all, tell me what you know of this matter." "Nothing, sir, dishonorable to my master or his daughter." "No prevarication, minion. Whatever you know of, as having passed between Miss Della, and--and--this man, I wish you to state plainly here." "I can tell you no more, sir, than you already know." "By what means has this acquaintanceship been carried on? I know there has been no opportunity for much personal intercourse. Have you letters?" "If I have, sir, they are the property of my young mistress, and as such, I will deliver them to no one without her consent." "Fool! do you forget that you are my slave?" "As such, my first duty is to the mistress you have bade me serve." "Are the letters in your possession?" "They are, sir; placed there for safe keeping." "Bring me them instantly!" said Mr. Delancey, stamping his foot heavily upon the floor. "No," said the girl, calmly folding her hands on her bosom; "whatever questions my master has to ask, I am ready to answer; but I can do no more." "What do you mean?" cried the merchant, rising, and laying his hands upon her shoulders. "Go and do my bidding instantly. What did you confess you had them for, if you didn't expect me to get them? Any other of my negroes would have lied." Minny's face flushed crimson. "Your other negroes, sir, might act differently, under many circumstances, to what I would do--but," she continued, more calmly, "Miss Della taught me never to tell a falsehood, and these lips have never lied." The merchant looked keenly at Minny for a moment, then said:-- "Do you know that if you disobey me I will use the lash? You are but a slave, if you have a paler skin. Do you hear? Either tell me where these papers can be found, or bring them to me yourself, or I will lash you till your back runs pools of blood." "And I will bear it, sir, though you should make it run rivers. My mistress's confidence is more sacred to me than any drop of blood that circles round my heart, and I will shed it all sooner than betray her."