I could read it by the warm reception with which the dear girl always met me, and treated me in her mother's house.

I could read it by the warm and affectionate shake of the hand, and gentle smile upon her lovely cheek.

I could read it by her always giving me the preference of her company; by her pressing invitations to visit even in opposition to her mother's will.
I could read it in the language of her bright and sparkling eye, penciled by the unchangable finger of nature, that spake but could not lie.

These strong temptations gradually diverted my attention from my actual condition and from liberty, though not entirely.
But oh! that I had only then been enabled to have seen as I do now, or to have read the following slave code, which is but a stereotyped law of American slavery.

It would have saved me I think from having to lament that I was a husband and am the father of slaves who are still left to linger out their days in hopeless bondage.