For an instant Sylvia stood quite still. She felt ready to cry, and now walked more slowly. For the first time she realized something of what it must be to be a colored girl.
"If I had been Estralla he could have dragged me off and had me whipped," she thought. "Oh, I must get Mr. Robert Waite to let Estralla stay safe with us."
She was now near her destination, which proved to be a large house right on the street. She knocked at the door several times before it was opened. Then she found herself looking up at a tall man whose white hair and kindly smile gave her confidence.
"Well, little girl, whom do you wish to see?" he asked pleasantly.
"I have a message, I—" began Sylvia, her voice trembling a little.
"Are you Mr. Doane?"
"Yes; come in," and he held the door open for her to enter, and then closed and fastened it behind them.
Sylvia drew the letter from its hiding-place and handed it to him, and
Mr. Doane slipped it into his pocket.
"Come in, my child, and rest a moment; you are out of breath," he said, leading the way to a small room at the end of the narrow hall.
Sylvia was glad to sit down in a low chair near the table, while Mr. Doane opened the envelope. She could see that there was another letter enclosed, as well as the one which the tall man was reading with such interest.
When he had finished reading the letter he tore it into a great many small pieces. Then he put the enclosed envelope carefully in an inner pocket.