nt.

"No, I do not think so; but you would not go without consulting your
mother's wishes?"

"And why not? Mother will never be the wiser for it, and I cannot see
that she can reasonably object; besides, am I always to be a child? I
must some time or other act for myself."

"Dear Winnie, do not talk so! You have one of the best of mothers, and
she will not deprive you of any pleasure, unless it is for your own
good. But do not be displeased with me for speaking my thoughts, for I
love you as a sister, and cannot bear to have you do anything that would
not be right."

Winnie was about to give way to those passions which an indulged child
invariably possesses, and being naturally of a very sensitive nature,
she could not sit easy under those opinions from others, which were in
opposition to her own views, and trembling with rage, she turned to the
Sea-flower,--but the fire of her eye was subdued, her tongue did not
give utterance to the bitter, cruel words, which would have sounded so
strangely upon an ear that had never known such tones! she gave one look
at the gentle, submissive face of the Sea-flower, and burst into tears.
_Such_ tears, from the high-spirited Winnie Santon, was a strange sight.
Her proud, rebellious spirit had for once been conquered, and what was
not such a lesson worth?

"O, Natalie!" she exclaimed, "how I wish I could be like you! I was just
upon the point of saying what I know I should have repented! I am so
glad you have come to be with us!"

Nothing more was said about going to hear Madame Forresti, but when
evening came, Winnie, after leaving a message with Biddy for Mr.
Montague, that she must be excused, sought her mother's room, where she
found Sea-flower, who was reading to the invalid, and the rich tones of
her voice conveyed far more happiness to her heart, than would have been
hers, had she listened to the far-famed songstress, with a conscience
speaking of undutifulness. Natalie was reading from the "Christian's
Hope," and as she read, ever and anon cast her eye toward Winnie, who
appeared unusually thoughtful. The nervous state, however, of Mrs.
Santon would admit of but little excitement, and as Natalie closed her
book, and rose to bid her good-night, she observed that she looked
unusually happy, and taking her dear children by the hand, she thanked
them tenderly for their devoted attention to her, and drawing close to
Winnie she whispered in her ear,--"It is such a comfort to