When the ceremony was ended, they took their seats among the congratulations of their numerous colored friends, and with the imitative quickness of their race, the manners of ladies and gentlemen were most amusingly copied in Mr. Hamilton's dining room. "Why, Miss Nanny, you're quite brilliance to-night," said one of the groomsmen. "Who are you calling Miss Nanny, Bill?" said the other groomsman, tittering, "that is Miss Roberts now." Nanny hung her head bashfully, and, looking up at Jim, said, "That name sounds mighty quar." About ten o'clock, a nice supper was announced in the servants' sitting room, and it was really amusing to our young folks, to see the airs with which the colored gentlemen handed out the belles to the supper table. "We're much obliged to you, Miss Madeline," said Jim, "for this party, for we know that you got it up for us." "I hope that you will make Nanny a good husband, Jim, for she is a good girl. I won't let you be cross to her." After supper, a number of songs enlivened the evening, and a serenade at a late hour, in which four voices joined, wound up the affair. Madeline had heard nothing of the Bruces for several weeks, excepting by a few casual words in the Sunday-school room, for Lucy and she still attended. On the following Sunday morning, Maddy thought that Roland looked very sad, and Effie was not present. "What is the matter, Roland?" asked the child. "Oh, Madeline! dear mother is so sick; she seems to be growing weaker every day." "Don't get disheartened, Roland; you know what you have often said to me, 'Look up for help.'" "Yes, I know, Madeline; but the loss of my mother would be such a great calamity, that I cannot always look up. Sometimes, I cannot trust the promises; then I get so weak, I can scarcely hold up my head." "I am sorry, Roland. Is there anything that I can do for her?" "Come and see her, Madeline, that would cheer her up." "I have been detained by company, Roland, that is all the reason." "Yes, I know that; we can't expect you to leave them often." "I will come soon, Roland; I am so very sorry." Madeline kept her word, but her high spirits were suddenly saddened, when she saw the pale face and trembling hands of her kind friend. Mrs. Bruce was sitting up endeavoring to sew, but the marks of languor were so apparent, that a chill settled around Maddy's heart, and she feared that Roland must soon lose this dear mother. "You are not well, Mrs. Bruce," said the child, as she took her friend's extended hand. "No, my dear, flesh and heart are failing; but 'God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for evermore.' While he is left, I am perfectly at peace." Madeline looked upon the placid face, and the sweet smile of trusting faith that lit the features of her friend, and thought how precious was that holy trust. "I know now, Mrs. Bruce, what you mean by looking up; how happy you must be."