"No, Felix; it was a fancied superiority that made me speak harshly. You have always been a good and faithful servant," he continued, taking out his pocket-book, which he opened mechanically, as from the force of habit, "and I wish I had it in my power to express better my sense of the obligation. But why do I open it?" he said, closing at the same time, and offering it to Felix. "You will find here what may be of use to you, though I think there is little enjoyment purchasable with money." "Why! Mr. Armstrong," cried Felix, stepping back. "What for do I want more money? I have enough, and you will please keep it, sir, to give some poor man if you wish." "You are right to despise it," said Armstrong. "It shows a superiority of soul. Now here is this poor black," he went on soliloquizing, though all the time Felix stood before him, "who has learned that lesson of contentment which the generality never learn. Rich in his poverty here, an inheritor of the skies, I have only insulted him by so contemptible an offer." His head sunk upon his breast, his eyes fell upon the ground, his pocket-book dropped from his unconscious hand, and he resumed his walk. The negro stooped and picked it up, saying, to himself: "Very strange! Mr. Armstrong act as if pocket-book chock full o' bank-bills grow like chick-weed, but I will take him under my protecshum till I give him to Miss Faith." Upon Armstrong's return from the end of the walk, Felix delivered himself of his errand, and his master directed his steps towards the house. He found his daughter with the breakfast apparatus before her, and looking as fresh and charming as the morning itself. "You have shown better taste than I, father," she said. "You have been enjoying the beauty of nature, while I was lying on a downy pillow." "Sleep is sweet to the young and healthy," said Armstrong, "and my selfishness kept you up so late last night, that I do not wonder you are not as early as usual." "My late hours have done me no harm. But when shall we take the drive you promised me?" "At any time that is most agreeable to yourself." "If you refer it to me, I shall not long hesitate." "It will make no difference with me. Choose, yourself, my darling." "Then, why not this morning, while the air is fresh with the dews of night, and before the roads are filled with dust? I anticipate a great deal of pleasure, for it seems to me some mystery hangs about this drive, and that you are preparing for me a delightful surprise." Armstrong started, and an expression of pain gathered over his face. "That was earlier than I intended," he said, "but a few hours can make no difference." "If it is not perfectly convenient; if you have another engagement, put it off later. It was only the loveliness of the morning which made me select it." "I have no other engagement so important," said Armstrong; "it is of great importance to us both: I ought to gratify any request you can make, but"--