While he was pondering his great purpose, he was surprised to receive a visit from Master Archy. The imperious young gentleman displayed a languid smile upon his face as he entered the chamber. It was intended as a token of conciliation. If his pride had permitted him to speak to the suffering bondman, he would have said, "Dandy, you see this smile upon my face. It is the olive-branch of peace. I freely forgive you for what you have done; and you see, by my coming, that I feel an interest in you. Not every young master would bestow a visit of sympathy upon his slave, after he had been whipped; so you see how condescending I am. We will be friends, as we were before. It is true you have been whipped; but you deserved it, and I am willing to forgive you. It may have been my fault, but as you are a nigger, and in my power, it don't make much difference." This was what Master Archy's looks said, and the sufferer read them as well as though the words had been written upon his face. After Dandy came to his senses, his first thought was, that he would be revenged upon Archy for his mean and cowardly conduct; but the great scheme he had matured drove this purpose from his mind. Success required that he should conceal his feelings, or he might lose the confidence of his master, and thus be deprived of the opportunity for which he intended to watch and wait. "How do you feel, Dandy?" asked Archy, in tones of sympathy, as he placed himself by the bedside of his body-servant. "Not very well, Master Archy," replied Dandy. "My father carried it farther than I intended, Dandy. I tried to stop him before." "Thank you, Master Archy," answered the patient, meekly. "Though it was more than I meant you should have, I hope you will remember it a long time," added Archy. "I shall, master." "My eye is not in very good condition," said he, wiping the injured organ with his handkerchief. "It was a hard blow you gave me." Dandy wished he would leave him, and he did not care to argue the matter with him, even if he had been privileged to do so. "It won't do to let your servant go too far," said Archy. "I am very sorry it happened," replied Dandy. "Well, I hope the lesson will last you as long as you live." "It will, Master Archy." The young tyrant, when he had fully satisfied himself that his minion was in a tractable state, took his leave, much to the satisfaction of the sufferer. The old negro who acted as his physician paid him another visit in the evening, and assured him that he would be well in a few days. He left him with the injunction to go to sleep, and forget all about it.