gentle breeze which fills our sail will bear her "God bless
you" to the ear of him who will think of the dear ones at home, until he
shall once more fill his place in that dearest of family circles, and
thank God, my mother has such an one as you to lean upon. Farewell, dear
Sea-flower, until we meet again. BROTHER HARRY."

He had gone! Could it be possible? How could she speak those cruel words
to her mother? Yet it must be. With steady step she entered the
drawing-room; the mother looked upon her child. That which she would
speak failed to give utterance. Instinctively soul sympathized
with soul.

"Mother, we will breathe our morning supplication to Him who ordereth
all things;" and the Sea-flower, at that family altar, prayed that
strength might be given them, that they might be prepared for whatever
was to be their portion, and her prayer was heard. Arising, Mrs.
Grosvenor sank into a chair; with an agitated voice she spoke,--

"My child, some dreadful thing has occurred! My son,--tell me, has he
gone? for the same mysterious power which bade me impress upon his mind
last night, the value of the instructions, which, I pray God, I have not
been unfaithful in setting before him, tells me I shall not see my boy
again for many long days! Speak, my child, is it not so?"

"You have spoken too truly, mother; may you be able to bear up under
this affliction;" and she put the note into her mother's hand.

"My eyes fail me, my child! If it is not asking of you too much, tell me
what were his last words; they will fall more gently on my heart;" and
the tones of the Sea-flower were of comfort as she read:--

"My dear Mother--In the ship Nautilus, which will sail from this port on
the 20th of October, I have shipped for a Cape Horn voyage. You will
hardly believe what you read; nevertheless, it is true. I was very much
disappointed that I could not go with father, and thought I would wait
patiently until his return; but gaining permission from my present
captain to accompany him, I could not resist the temptation. I know I
shall do very wrong in going away without your consent, but forgive me,
if you can, mother; 't is the only act in which I have ever given you
sorrow, or by which I ever shall. You shall hear from me as often as I
can get an opportunity of sending home, and it will not be a great while
before I shall be with you again. I shall not forget my prayers night
and morning; and I know you will not cease to pray