I don't avoid coloured people, because I esteem them my inferiors in refinement, education, or intelligence; but because they are subjected to degradations that I shall be compelled to share by too freely associating with them." "It is a pity," continued he, with a sigh, "that I was not suffered to grow up with them, then I should have learnt to bear their burthens, and in the course of time might have walked over my path of life, bearing the load almost unconsciously.

Now it would crush me, I know.

It was a great mistake to place me in my present false position," concluded he, bitterly; "it has cursed me.

Only a day ago I had a letter from Em, reproaching me for my coldness; yet, God help me! What am I to do!" Miss Ada looked at him sorrowfully, and continued smoothing down his hair, and inundating his temples with Cologne; at last she ventured to inquire, "How do matters progress with you and Miss Bates?
Clary, you have lost your heart there!" "Too true," he replied, hurriedly; "and what is more--little Birdie (I call her little Birdie) has lost hers too.

Aunt Ada, we are engaged!" "With her parents' consent ?" she asked.
"Yes, with her parents' consent; we are to be married in the coming winter." "Then they know _all_, of course--they know you are coloured ?" observed she.
"They know all!" cried he, starting up.