Lucy (Chapter_16)

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I don't forget that quality blood runs in my veins too, and dont you be thinking Miss that poor people because their skins are white, are any better than a free coloured person." Here was another stroke of humiliation, for our wretched out-cast. "How, --how low," she thought--"how low is one fatal sin to sink me! Oh my father your curses will sink me to death itself!" When Hetty, who was a good natured, affectionate creature, what ever other faults she might have--saw the distress she had occasioned she felt moved to pity. Had Lucy answered angrily--she would have returned angry words. but the silent grief, the flowing tears,of a young person of her own age and sex, melted the girl's heart. "Now don't take on so Miss, come shake hands and be friends, I didn't mean any offence and ax your pardon--but shake hands, you will want a friend in this house let me tell you." Lucy, the meek, the humbled Lucy, unresistingly yielded her hand to Hetty's friendly grasp.

"Here am I running on," said she, "while I might far better, be setting the room to rights, making up a fire, and getting you something to eat.--Come now, take heart, I've a notion we shall be right good friends, and I mean to pluck up spirit and tell the madam that you shall have whatever's becoming a wet-nurse, and one knows all the world over, wet-nurses have the best of every thing--I'm very glad for my part the { Doctor?} put it into Master's head that the poor child would die if it didn't get a wet-nurse." The child, had fallen into a sweet, sound sleep and as the little William was not yet awaken, Lucy still held it cradled in her arms. Hetty set about in good earnest, "making things more comfortable," as she said--She ran down stairs and soon returned with a bottle of porter, bread and cheese etc and a little black girl who was loaded with wood. "Well," said she, "theres nothing like taking the cow by the horns,

so I didn't mince the matter, but spoke bold out, and the more freely as the Captain was bye and told the Madam, that it was the custom for wet-nurses to have a bottle of porter every day, besides as much tea and chocolate as ever they could drink. And so the Captain bid me always to get you the same, and when any thing was wanting to come to him--Mistress had'nt a word to say, so I shall do accordingly--you see, I can be a friend worth having," added she nodding, significantly. Lucy felt, that without a friend, she must be miserable in her present situation and silently acquiesced. When the little girl who was in the bed, awoke, she was charmed with its loveliness and beauty.--What is your name? my dear." she asked--"Serena," replied she-"And a sweet name it is," said her new nurse. Lucy's beautiful face, sweet voice, and soft, tender manners soon won the little Serena's heart and

soon won the little Serena's heart, and while she stood by, playing with her brother Charley and the new little baby as she called William, she showed such a fond, caressing, gentle temper, that Lucy felt she should soon dearly love the sweet child.--The little black girl, was to stay in the nursery and wait on the nurse. This arrangement was effected through Hetty's care, and proved of great comfort and assistance to Lucy, who otherwise must have sometimes been obliged to neglect her own, while she nursed Mrs Dey's child. In a short time, the whole aspect of the nursery was changed. The ragged window curtains and carpet were nicely mended, the furniture put in neat order and instead of being the most dismal, Hetty declared it was the most comfortable room in the house. The little Serena was now happy and contented and Charles by degrees became a healthy blooming infant, and even in Lucy's eyes almost as beautiful as William. Every moment Hetty could spare from her housework and attendance on her lady, was passed in the nursey and Lucy, was too sensible of all she owed the good natured girl not to treat her with kindness and civility

He purposely would not take his child from her arms that he might detain her near him, and notwithstanding her evident embarrassment enjoyed the confusion which heightened the charms of her beautiful face. His heart was not entirely dead to the feelings of a father, and the pride and pleasure he felt in contemplating the restored health and increased loveliness of his boy, mingled a sentiment of gratitude towards Lucy, with the admiration she inspired. At last she was suffered to withdraw, but she left an impression which he did not seek to efface. From that time he became a daily visitor in the nursery, and seemed to find no pleasure equal to that of playing with his son. Lucy thought nothing could be more natural or more amicable, and she unconsciously strengthened the impression she had made, by her sweet, obliging manners. It was so new to her to be treated with respect and tenderness, that insensibly her reserve