eans of arousing more sympathy in the public heart.' She says that
the poor girl looked at her a moment so reproachfully, and answered:
'When we meet in heaven, you will understand how cruelly your words
hurt me. I know that appearances are hopelessly against me, and I
expect to die; but I am so innocent, I keep my soul close to God, for
He who knows the truth, will help me to bear man's injustice.' Then she
prayed aloud for herself, that she might endure patiently and meekly an
awful punishment which she did not deserve; and while she prayed, her
countenance was so pure, so angelic, and there was such unmistakable
fervor and sincerity in her petition, that Sister Serena says she could
not help bursting into tears, and she actually begged the girl's pardon
for having doubted her innocence. She has fallen completely in love
with the poor young creature, and tells me she finds her wonderfully
talented and cultivated. This morning she showed me some of the most
beautiful designs for decorating our altar on Christmas, which the
prisoner sketched for her. She cut all the models for her, and gave her
such lovely suggestions, and when Sister Serena thanked her, she says
the most touching smile she ever saw came into that child's face, as
she answered: 'I ought to thank you for the privilege of decorating my
Savior's altar, at the last Christmas I shall spend on earth. Next
year, I shall spend Jesus' birthday with Him.' I felt so uncomfortable
when I heard all that passed between her and Sister Serena, that I
could not be easy until I had seen for myself; and as Sister Serena was
going over to carry some letters to be painted and gilded, I went with
her. I have seen her, and talked with her, and I pity the hard, bitter,
unregenerate and vindictive heart of the man who is prosecuting her for
murder. I do not believe that in all the world, Mr. Dunbar can find
twelve men idiotic and vicious enough to convict that beautiful orphan
girl; and his failure will do as little credit to his intellect, as
success would to his moral nature."

"While I prefer to exclude Mr. Dunbar's name from our discussions, I
think it merely bare justice to the absent, to assure you that he
desires her conviction even less than you or I; and will do all in his
power to avert it. I feel more interest in this matter than you can
possibly realize, and, believing her innocent, I will befriend her to
the last extremity. Did Sister Serena succeed in fitting the b