Mrs.Cardinay was much pleased with her new servant, and often mentioned her good qualities in the presence of Mr.
Morton.
After eight months acquaintance with Marion, Morton's sympathies ripened into love, which was most cordially reciprocated by the friendless and injured child of sorrow.

There was but one course which the young man could honorably pursue, and that was to purchase Marion and make her his lawful wife; and this he did immediately, for he found Mr.and Mrs.
Cardinay willing to second his liberal intentions.
The young man, after purchasing Marion from Cardinay, and marrying her, took lodgings in another part of the city.

A private teacher was called in, and the young wife was taught some of those accomplishments so necessary for one taking a high position in good society.
Dr.Morton soon obtained a large and influential practice in his profession, and with it increased in wealth; but with all his wealth he never owned a slave.

Probably the fact that he had raised his wife from that condition kept the hydra-headed system continually before him.
To the credit of Marion be it said, she used every means to obtain the freedom of her mother, who had been sold to Parson Wilson, at Natchez.
Her efforts, however, had come too late; for Agnes had died of a fever before the arrival of Dr.Morton's agent.
Marion found in Adolphus Morton a kind and affectionate husband; and his wish to purchase her mother, although unsuccessful, had doubly endeared him to her.

Ere a year had elapsed from the time of their marriage, Mrs.
Morton presented her husband with a lovely daughter, who seemed to knit their hearts still closer together.