safety were not involved."

"Certainly, certainly, Gray, I can appreciate your feelings as a husband
and father."

"Thank your honor," said Reuben, as he departed.

The judge kept his word to the overseer, and the same hour conveyed to
his daughter the invitation and the caution.

Claudia was moped half to death, and desired nothing better than a
little amusement. So the same afternoon she set out on her walk to
Woodside, followed by her own maid Mattie, carrying a large basket
filled with fine laces, ribbons, and beads to deck the babies, and
wines, cordials, and jellies to nourish the mother.

On arriving at Woodside Cottage Miss Merlin was met by Sally, the
colored maid of all work, and shown immediately into a neat bedroom on
the ground floor, where she found Hannah sitting in state in her
resting-chair beside her bed, and contemplating with maternal
satisfaction the infant prodigies that lay in a cradle at her feet.

"Do not attempt to rise! I am so glad to see you looking so well, Mrs.
Gray! I am Miss Merlin," was Claudia's frank greeting, as she approached
Hannah, and held out her hand.

"Thank you, miss; you are very good to come; and I am glad to see you,"
said the proud mother, heartily shaking the hand offered by the visitor.

"I wish you much joy of your fine children, Mrs. Gray."

"Thank you very much, miss. Pray sit down. Sally, hand a chair."

The maid of all work brought one, which Claudia took, saying:

"Now let me see the twins."

Hannah stooped and raised the white dimity coverlet, and proudly
displayed her treasures--two fat, round, red-faced babies, calmly
sleeping side by side.

What woman or girl ever looked upon sleeping infancy without pleasure?
Claudia's face brightened into beaming smiles as she contemplated these
children, and exclaimed:

"They are beauties! I want you to let me help to dress them up fine,
Mrs. Gray! I have no little brothers and sisters, nor nephews and
nieces; and I should like so much to have a part property in these!"

"You are too good, Miss Merlin."

"I am not good at all. I like to have my own way. I should like to pet
and dress these babies. I declare, for the want of a little brother or
sister to pet, I could find it in my heart to dress a doll! See, now,
what I have brought for these babies! Let the basket down, Mattie, and
take the things out."

Miss Merlin's maid obeyed, and displayed to the astonished eyes of
Hannah yards of cambric, muslin,