IX.
A Ministering Spirit.
Daph had been smitten by a blow too sudden and violent, to rally immediately from its effects. Her strength and energy seemed forever gone. The hope which had upheld her had been stricken from her, and she knew not where to go for comfort.
“De great Lord has gib poor Daph up!” she said, disconsolately; and, prostrate in mind and body, she lay on her low bed, her eyes shut, and her soul all dark within.
It was now that Mary Ray had an opportunity of showing her deep gratitude, for the unwearied kindness of her humble friend. She assumed the care of the children, and tried to keep them happy out of Daph’s sight, and thoughtfully volunteered to go round herself to Daph’s customers, to tell them that sickness had prevented her from preparing her usual supply.
All that Mary offered, Daph quietly accepted, almost without opening her eyes.
Daph seemed to have no wants, and it was in vain that Mrs. Ray came in and out, and bustled about putting the room in order, opening and closing the shutters, and making herself very busy, to no possible advantage; Daph did not notice her; her thoughts were far, far away.
In one of these visits, Mrs. Ray chanced to find the gold chain the captain had laid on the mantel-piece. This added fuel to her suspicions, and she felt justified in secreting it, and showing it to Dr. Bates, as a further proof of the mystery clinging to Daph.
Mrs. Ray’s mind was in a most agitated state. Sometimes she was haunted with vague notions of some most awful crime committed by Daph, and then again the kind, truthful face of the negro would rise up before her, and change her suspicions into shame and self-reproach.
At such times, she could not help feeling, that only virtue and honesty could be at home in a heart capable of such generous forgiveness, and patient return of good for evil, as she had received from the now sorrow-stricken negro. These moments of relenting, to soon alas! were gone.
Daph was lying sad and alone in the silent room, a few days after the visit of Captain Jones, when she heard a low tap at the door, followed by Mrs. Ray’s loud voice, saying, “Walk right in, Miss. She aint much sick, to my notion, but she don’t take no notice of anybody.”