where she was visiting, and I formed an attachment for her then,
which has never abated. We have kept ourselves informed of each other's
welfare from time to time, and thinking that the daughter might possess
the same amiable disposition as her mother, I thought that her presence
in our family might be pleasant to us all, besides gaining for her,
under your teachers of music and the languages, a finished education.
As for society in Nantucket, I have never learned of what grade it is;
but judging from the appearance of the only person I have ever met from
there, I do not consider them far behind the age."

"Well, I hope I shall like her, I am sure; she has a sweet
name,--Natalie; perhaps we shall like her, after all. But Nantucket
brought to my mind such visions of unrefined oil, that I really began to
tremble, lest we might come in closer contact therewith than would be at
all agreeable"

"Mrs. Santon received the Sea-flower with a mother's tenderness, but
being weary with her journey, Natalie retired early, to dream of those
far, low murmurings of the deep, which she had so missed, in lulling
her to rest."

"I am so disappointed in her, mother! she is such a gentle, delicate
creature! I know I shall love her! And such spiritual eyes! Did you
notice when you asked about her mother, what a sweet expression
she wore?"

"She is a beautiful creature, and if I mistake not, she has a heart to
match; but she does not resemble her mother at all, in features; I think
Captain Grosvenor must have been a fine-looking man;" and Mrs. Santon
wore a complacent look, as she thought of the favorable effect which
their guest might have upon the mind of her daughter; for owing to
frequent ill-health, Mrs. Santon had not been able to be with her child
as much as she would have desired, and she feared lest those early
traits in her character of impatience, and a proneness to censure
others, might grow upon her, under the influence of her father, who was
blind to her every fault"

"Ah, ha, miss puss," said Mr. Santon, who had received a most favorable
impression of the Sea-flower, "you will have to look out for that
fairy-like creature, or even your bewitching charms will be cast in the
shade!" and as he spoke he proudly surveyed his idolized daughter, who
was indeed to be classed among the first in the brunette style
of beauty.

"Oh, never fear for me, father," replied Winnie, taking a satisfied
survey of her full-length figure, ref