t I can do for your husband. In the mean time, Bacchus will help
you take your things from this place. Stay here though a few moments, until
he gets me a carriage to go home in, and he will return to you."

Sarah perfectly understood that Mr. Weston wanted no thanks at that time.
With streaming eyes, now raised to heaven--now to her benefactor, she held
her peace. Mr. Weston gladly left the dreadful place. Bacchus assisted him
to a hack, and then came back to fulfil his directions as regards the
woman.

Oh! noble heart, not here thy reward! Thy weak and trembling frame attests
too well that the scene is too trying to afford thee pleasure. The
All-seeing Eye is bent upon thee, and thine own ear will hear the
commendation from the lips of Christ: "Inasmuch as ye have done it unto the
least of these, my brethren, ye have done it unto me." Nor thou alone! Many
a generous act is done by the slaveholder to the slave. God will remember
them, though here they be forgotten or unknown.

We need not dwell on the unhoped-for meeting between Sarah and her husband,
nor on Bacchus's description of it to his master. It suffices to close the
relation of this incident by saying, that at night Sarah came to receive
directions from Mr. Weston; but in their place he gave her the necessary
free papers. "You are your own mistress, now, Sarah," said he. "I hope you
will prove yourself worthy to be so. You can assist your husband to pay for
himself. If you are honest and industrious, you cannot fail to do well."

Sarah's heart overflowed with unlooked-for happiness. She thanked Mr.
Weston over and over again, until, fearing to be troublesome, she withdrew.
Bacchus went as far as the corner, and promised to look in upon herself and
husband, repeatedly; which he did. He impressed his new acquaintances with
a proper sense of his own importance. With the exception of one grand spree
that he and Sarah's husband had together, the three enjoyed a very pleasant
and harmonious intercourse during the remainder of the Westons' stay at
Washington.

* * * * *

The gay winter had passed, and spring had replaced it; but night after
night saw the votaries of fashion assembled, though many of them looked
rather the worse for wear. Ellen and Alice tired of scenes which varied so
little, yet having no regular employment, they hardly knew how to cease the
round of amusements that occupied them. Ellen said, "Never mind, Alice, we