Ben Hartright. When that
time comes that the two races are arrayed against each other, my fair
complexion will be of no avail. I am a Nigger, and will be dealt with as
such, even by the man who now promises me protection."

Ben Hartright quailed under Molly's biting sarcasm. He was unprepared
for this change of front on the part of his mistress. His pretention of
love were not sufficient to create in Molly a feeling of security.

"Then d'm it all! you as good as tell a gentleman to his teeth that he
lies then?" said he doggedly.

"No; I don't mean to say that you lie. What you say to me _now_, you may
earnestly mean, but under circumstances just mentioned, you would deny
that you ever knew me. What you have revealed tonight concerning your
aims and plots, portrays to my mind just who and what you are, and just
who and what I am. Samson has revealed his secret to his Delilah, and
its Delilah's duty to warn her people of the dangers that await them.
Men whose lives are threatened must be warned; women who are in danger
of being ignominiously dealt with must be put upon their guard; must
know that these defenders of virtue, these Southern gentlemen who are
thirsting for the blood of a slanderer (?) of white women are
hypocrites, who strain out a gnat and swallow a camel."

"By the thunder, what do you mean by such language?" and Ben Hartright
arose from the sofa and glared at the girl, his eyes flashing. "Do you
know that you are talking to a gentleman?"

"Be careful," said Molly, "You wouldn't have the women for whom you
would be so chivalrous know who Ben Hartright _really is_, would you?"

"Why, what's the matter Molly?" said Hartright in a more subdued voice.
"Have you joined the sanctified band?"

"No; but I realize as never before just who and what I am, and your
trying to flatter me into the belief that I am better than black women
who try to be pure, is a revelation to me who and what _you are_. There
are men whom you have named to be killed whose only offense is that they
are respectable and independent; and women who are hated because they
are not easy victims such as I am--women who will live honestly upon
bread and water. These are colored people who have so much confidence in
the better class of white people, that they would not believe that such
a plot is being laid for their destruction."

Ben Hartright put his arms around Molly's waist. "I thought you were a
true friend of white people, Molly; but