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 that she almost took the good lady’s breath away with amazement.

“Topsy, this is your new mistress,” said Mr. St. Clare, solemnly.

“O yes, mas’r,” replied Topsy, with another twinkle.

For poor Miss Ophelia, already burdened with the care of a lot of little blacks, it was hard to understand why fate had brought this imp of darkness into her life.

But, being a good Christian woman, she bowed to the inevitable and promised to do her best with the child.