rvently to the God of her fathers to assist her by his
inspirations, and direct her to the best, in her present perplexity.
Having unburdened her bosom of a load of grief by a copious effusion of
tears, and felt in her spirit that calm resignation which a sense of its
own forlorn condition and a total reliance on God are calculated to
inspire even in the unregenerate and imperfect soul, Alia now proceeded
to the chamber of old Judy, whose expected illness had at last arrived,
having been ill now for three days. On perceiving her entrance into the
room, the old negress appealed to her in most supplicating terms to
fulfil her promise to send for "de priest, for now de hour am come. O
Ali', angel, dear," she cried, "do not let me die without the 'bon
Dieu,' or I lost foreber. O, haste! O, haste!"

Alia lost no time, but, taking pen and paper, wrote as follows to the
bishop of the diocese:--

"The Right Rev. Catholic bishop is respectfully informed that there is a
negro woman lying dangerously ill at Mr. Goldrich's, who, being a
Catholic, desires the last rites of that church. Being a native of St.
Domingo, the French is her vernacular tongue; for which cause it will be
desirable, if possible, to send, a clergyman who can speak that
language."

A young negro lad was the bearer of this despatch, and he returned in
less than an hour, attended by Rev. Paul O'Clery, whom the bishop sent
to answer this urgent call, all those of the episcopal residence having
been out since early morning attending on the sick in their respective
localities. In order to avoid any further cause of displeasure to Mrs.
Goldrich, Alia had given the negro lad instructions to bring the priest
in through a private door that communicated with the garden, rather than
attract attention by entering the hall door. She had a full view of the
countenance of the young priest, through the window, while he was
crossing that part of the garden that lay next the houses of the city,
and, strange! her heart throbbed, and an indescribable sensation passed
over her frame.

"How happy," she thought, "must be the sister of such a gentleman as
that! how different her lot from mine!"

The priest entered, and was received with a very polite bow by Alia,
which was returned profoundly. Declining to take a seat, on account of
his many other urgent calls, he was escorted to old Judy's chamber by
his fair guide, who, on the way thither, explained to him what sort of a
perso