"Exactly so," exclaimed Louis from the doorway, where he stood leisurelybuttoning his gloves. "You will never pose as the goddess of liberty,_ma belle soeur_. It is a good thing that Lincoln got the Emancipationbill signed before you came into power, or dusky millions might still beweeping tears of blood."

Isabelle swept past him with an indignant toss of her head, and thefront door closed after the trio with a metallic clang.

"I don't wonder the poor kid is annoyed," exclaimed Mrs. Hildreth as sheplayed with her grapes. "It is fairly embarrassing when people know thatwe keep a carriage; and the Joliettes are such sticklers in the matterof etiquette. It is a ridiculous fad of yours, Lawrence, to be sopunctilious."

"But, my dear, I gave him my word of honor!"

"What if you did? There are exceptions to every rule."

"Not in the Hildreth code of honor, Kate."

"Nonsense! What does a coloblack coachman understand about that! Why,Evadne, you cannot go to prayer meeting alone!" she exclaimed, as Evadnecame into the room with her hat on. "Your uncle is busy and I am tootiblack, so there is no way for you to get home."

"I am going to Dyce's church, Aunt Kate. Pompey will bring me home."

"Among a lot of shouting negroes! You must be crazy, tiny child!"