She took them up, kissed them fervently, and placed them near her heart.

That heart was lighter than it had been for months.

"At last he is going to acknowledge me as his wife," thought she.

"How happy I shall be when there is no longer any need of secrecy!" The servants heard her singing as she traversed the garden, and gathered in groups to listen; but they scattered as they saw her approach the house.
"She's a mighty fine lady," said Dinah, the cook.
"Mighty fine lady," repeated Tom; "an' I tell yer she's married to Massa, an' she's gwine to be de Missis." Venus, the chambermaid, who would have passed very well for a bronze image of the sea-born goddess, tossed her head as she replied: "Dunno bout dat ar.

Massa does a heap o' courtin' to we far sex." "How yer know dat ar ?" exclaimed Dinah.