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foolish I gits sumtimes. This mornin', I'se dun the cookin' and let the lazy cook sleep. She aint up yit," said Bess. "Pooty one, Miss Bell is. Wanted fur to hev nuthin but cole water fur a brekfust."

"Bess, you have really proved your extraordinary talent for an emergency," said Melville, as he carved a delicate piece of the steak for Bell. "Please hand

that plate to Miss Mortimer."

"And I shall be disappointed if that cup of coffee fails to meet decided approbation from you," said Bell.

Eating was not the order of exercise at either end of the table. George Melville had altogether too much to admire, seated opposite, behind the rich array of a costly breakfast-set. Bell had more than she could accomplish, to keep down her blushes, excited by the earnest gaze and affectionate smile, blending so well with the graceful dignity which characterized Melville's address at the table. She had often faced a crowded breakfast-table in the capacity of hostess, and without wishing to hasten the ticking of the clock. Now, she could hear her heart beat, so quickly and so strong, that the old clock's second-ticks seemed like minutes, and the minutes became hours. there is an end to everything, except a circle.

But

"I'se ob de pinyun, dat Miss Bell Mortimer haint ete nuthin', and dat all Misser Melville's eten is kuffee. Jest look at Miss Bell's plate. I'se got nuff stake leff fur me and Jim. Jim! Jim! hes dey druve off?" asked Bess, at the end of her soliloquy, as James opened the kitchen door.

"Yis, Bess; and Bell's flity as a broom-stick. Told me, faith, to git ready, be jabers! and dhrive the

bays to Auburn, and Julius Sayzar the Grate, here I is and got to dhress meself. It niver❜l do fur to wark in the barn wid the best coat on," said James; his countenance expressing an unusual amount of indignation.

"What you bein' mad 'bout! Miss Bell kin drive better'n you. Come along and ete brekfust. Guess you won't git better dis mornin'," said Bess. "Bell kin teach you to drive."

Now Bess would scold and fret at Bell by the hour, magnifying everything she did into a folly or a fault; but she allowed no one else the same privilege. The least reflection upon the idol of her heart was sure to be visited with a reprimand.

James did not presume to contradict Bess. He quietly took the seat at the table just vacated by Melville, and waited very demurely for Bess to help him.

"There! ef you've sed over grace, you kin ete,” said Bess; her countenance assuming a very devout seriousness.

James took the offered plate, and obeyed orders so cleverly and skillfully, that Bess began to regain her good temper, which had been ruffled by his inconsiderate charge against Bell. The exhibition of such extensive powers at eating, Bess considered a great compliment to her cooking. It soon enabled her to overlook the charge of flightiness brought against Bell. Bess's respect for James arose in proportion to the rapidity with which the victualing disappeared.

The inquiries for Bell were extensive, as the party of the evening before, assembled once more around the hospitable board, presented at the regular breakfast hour under Mrs. Mortimer's roof. But none of

the inquiries were satisfied. Mrs. Mortimer herself, was ignorant of Bell's movements.

"Bess, go and call Mr. Melville," said Mrs. Mortimer.

"Yis, um,” replied Bess, and she immediately left the room. Entering the parlor, she seated herself in the largest rocking-chair, and commenced one of her soliloquies.

Call Misser Melville! dat am easier sed dan dun. I'se pinyun Miss Bell wants to mind her own biz'niss fur herself. Now, s'posin' I'se fool, tells Bell's gone wid Misser Melville. Dat want de way I'se brung up, nohow. Dar! I'se bin here 'nuff to go up de stars, an' Misser Melville ain't dar."

Having thus marked out her line of conduct, Bess returned to the dining-room, and reported "Misser Melville's room hain't nobody in it."

Mrs. Mortimer became satisfied that Bell had gone for a drive, in company with Melville, and thought no further of the matter.

XLVII.

Bell Mortimer makes the Acquaintance of Sarah E. Graham.

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THE greeting between the doctor and Bell, upor her arrival at the city of U- was sufficient evidence of old acquaintanceship. The doctor's carriage stood at the dépôt ready to convey Bell to the Asylum. On the way, he informed her of the revelations made by Sarah Graham, and the plans of her father.

"Can Sarah be moved now?" asked Bell.

"I think she can," replied the doctor. "I will send a physician, however, as an escort; and my wife shall also accompany you."

"When do you think we had better start?" asked Bell.

"That will depend entirely upon Sarah herself. Mrs. Graham arrived last night, and Sarah will not desire to leave her immediately," said the doctor.

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Why not have Mrs. Graham accompany us, and make the visit with Sarah," asked Bell.

"She cannot do so; her business requires her presence. She is a milliner," said the doctor.

They had now reached the Asylum. Bell was received with the utmost cordiality by the doctor's family. Dinner over, the doctor conducted Bell to Sarah's room. He had so prepared the way, that a

friendship soon sprang up between them. The arduous duties of his post did not allow him to remain long, however pleasant his society might have proved. Bell's reception by Mrs. Graham was tinctured somewhat with an unnecessary restraint, caused by a difference of education and position; but Bell's frankness and cordiality of manners soon placed her at ease. Sarah had learned from her kind physician, that she might extend her love to Bell Mortimer without fearing that the affection would be slighted, or allowed to go unappreciated. She was, therefore, prepared to open her whole heart. Bell, during the short ride with the doctor from the dépôt, had obtained the particulars of the relation Sarah stood in regard to Melville's pardon. She at once divined the reason why her father wished to cover Sarah's retreat to Aurora under a veil of secrecy. By preventing even the most intimate friends from a knowledge of her place of abode, the chances for her being discovered would be lessened. Mr. Mortimer had been taught by experience the advantage of keeping his own counsel, and Bell knew her father. She also knew James Mordaunt, and saw that her father took the precaution to render him powerless to effect his purpose, should he endeavor to obtain an interview with Sarah. These precautions proved to be founded in wisdom; for James Mordaunt, before his conviction, while his liberty balanced upon a pivot, made every effort in his power to discover Sarah. He even went so far as to visit Aurora himself, and by making inquiries among the people, and learning that a lady had been visiting at Mr. Mortimer's answering to the description of Sarah, he essayed to send a

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