or. One slipper of small size and delicate hue lay a
little distance from her, as if it had been cast impatiently from the
unshod foot. Her brow was pressed against the window-sash, and every
rustle of the vine-leaves, every whisper of the night-wind, had caused
her to start violently, and called forth some low ejaculation of
impatience or vexation.

"Past twelve, and not here yet!" she exclaimed, drawing from her belt a
small French watch, glittering with jewels, and glancing at the hour
with a frown.

"Ah! Dieu! what can have happened now? I shall be asleep before many
minutes, unless--"

At this moment there came up from the garden a harsh grating sound, as
of some one cautiously turning a key in a rusty lock. The listener
started to her feet, and laid one hand upon her heart. There were light
steps upon the stairs--a cautious tread upon the balcony--and Minny, the
Quadroon, sank at her mistress's feet.

"So, child, you've come at last! Where have you lingered this long, long
time? I am most distracted with watching for you, and my head aches
terribly."

Minny lifted up her pale face, with the black hair falling in strong
contrast around it, and the angry glitter not yet gone from her
brilliant eye.

"Lady, I have lingered nowhere unnecessarily. You bade me be cautious,
and it takes time to take stealthy steps. Besides, I was obliged to wait
before I could approach him, and then--"

"Enough, Minny! and then he gave you a letter for me. Give it me, girl,
quick!"

Minny drew the note from her bosom, and her mistress, approaching the
lamp, put aside the shade which obscured it, and bent eagerly over the
closely-written page she held. She read it again and again, and a smile
of delight lit up the listless features, as she refolded it, and flung
to the girl beside her to place in its delicate envelope.

"Oh! it is such a sweet note, Minny; such a charming, delightful note!
How did he look, Min, when he was writing it? Did he frown, and bite his
lips, and grow pale, in that frightful way he has sometimes, or did he
look handsome and happy?"

"His back was toward me, Miss. I could not see how he looked."

"Stupid Minny! Another time get where you can look straight into those
black eyes of his, and read what they say all the while."

"Another time I will, Miss."

"What's the matter, Min? Come here, child. How you frighten me. You are
as pale as a ghost! Tired with your long walk, that's it, puss! Kneel
down