"
"Lady," said Traverse, respectfully taking her hand, "now that I am
acquainted in some slight degree with the story of your heavy
wrongs, do not suppose that I will ever leave you until I see you
restored to your friends."
"Friends! ah, young man, do you really suppose that if I had had
friends I should have been left thus long unsought? I have no
friends, Doctor Rocke, except yourself, newly sent me by the Lord;
nor any relatives except a young daughter whom I have seen but twice
in my life!--once upon the dreadful night when she was born and torn
away from my sight and once about two years ago, when she must have
been sixteen years of age. My little daughter does not know that she
has a poor mother living, and I have no friend upon earth but you,
whom the Lord has sent."
"And not in vain!" said Traverse, fervently, "though you have no
other friends, yet you have the law to protect you. I will make your
case known and restore you to liberty. Then, lady, listen: I have a
good mother, to whom suffering has taught sympathy with the
unfortunate, and I have a lovely betrothed bride, whom you will
forgive her lover for thinking an angel in woman's form; and we have
a beautiful home among the hills of Virginia, and you shall add to
our happiness by living with us."
The lady looked at Traverse Rocke with astonishment and incredulity.
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