His very looks showed that she
had the deepest sympathies of his heart.
Marion had been brought up by her mother to look after the domestic
concerns of her cottage in Virginia, and well knew how to perform
the duties imposed upon her. Mrs. Cardinay was much pleased with
her new servant, and often mentioned her good qualities in the
presence of Mr. Morton.
After eight months acquaintance with Marion, Morton's sympathies
ripened into love, which was most cordially reciprocated by the
friendless and injured child of sorrow. There was but one course
which the young man could honorably pursue, and that was to
purchase Marion and make her his lawful wife; and this he did
immediately, for he found Mr. and Mrs. Cardinay willing to second
his liberal intentions.
The young man, after purchasing Marion from Cardinay, and marrying
her, took lodgings in another part of the city. A private teacher
was called in, and the young wife was taught some of those
accomplishments so necessary for one taking a high position in
good society.
Dr. Morton soon obtained a large and influential practice in his
profession, and with it increased in wealth; but with all his
wealth he never owned a slave. Probably the fact that he had
raised his wife from that condition kept the hydra-headed system
continually before him. To the credit of Marion be it said, she
used every means to obtain the freedom of her mother, who had been
sold to Parson Wilson, at Natchez. Her efforts, however, had come
too late; for Agnes had died of a fever before the arrival of Dr.
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