Every  one  had  the  present  most  wished  for;  and
to  every  one  was  given  a  small  sum  of  money.  The
reception  lasted  nearly  three  hours,  but  madam  bore
up  wonderfully,  and  to  most  of  the  old  servants  she
said  a  few  kind  words,  and  gave  them  her  hand.
Never  any  queen  had  a  more  loyal  and  loving  levee.
Negroes  are  greatly  impressed  by  magnificent  cloth-
ing and  fine  surroundings.  The  beautiful  old  lady,
lying  on  the  crimson  couch,  dressed  in  pale  satin  and
fine  lace  and  gleaming  pearls,  seemed  to  them  a
mistress  to  be  very  proud  of.  That  night  no  one
had  any  words  or  any  memories  but  kind  ones.
They  had  forgotten  her  faults,  as  children  forget  the
reproofs  of  a  parent.
"She  wear  de  pure  satin  dress,  and  de  pure  pearls,


312  THE  LOST  SILVER  OF  BKIFFAULT.
arid  de  white  kid  gloves  on  her  hands ;  and  she  give
her  hand  even  to  poor  ole  'Zekiel."

u  Dar  aint  any  ladies  like  de  ole  madam  dese  days  !
Miss  Cassia,  she's  purty  well,  but  de  ole  madam.
