you will
eclipse us all!" and Winnie, taking both her hands in hers, gazed into
her face as if spell-bound.

"I have seen some beautiful picture, somewhere," she exclaimed, "which
is like you! but where, I cannot tell; and yet, when I look at you, the
association is so fresh in my mind! Yes, you will be our evening star."

"Venus is morning star now," said Natalie, glancing at the brilliant
dress of Winnie; "yet for all that, she will favor us with her presence
this evening."

As the two descended to the boudoir, they were met by Mr. Santon, who,
shutting his eyes, exclaimed,--"Bless me! I have looked upon the
glorious morning, in the beauty of its freshness, and the gentle
evening, so pure, but to see them approaching, hand in hand, is too much
for any 'live man!'"

Escorting the fair ones to Mrs. Santon's side, he proudly gazed upon
their dazzling beauty,--beauty in its perfection sitting upon each
countenance, and yet, such a contrast! Winnie was arrayed in a rich
attire of delicate blue, her boddice wrought about with silver threads,
representing the light of the crescent moon, her skirt interwoven with
numerous lesser lights, as it were, stars of various magnitudes,
producing a splendid effect in the flood of gas-light; and the set of
diamonds bound about her dark tresses, which fell in rich profusion
about her finely arched neck, setting off her dark complexion, her
cheeks roseate with health, to great advantage; and as she moved among
her guests; her tall, slender form, so full of dignity, she was the
"observed of all observers." Her winning smile, so dangerous to those
gallants in attendance who had never realized the true sense of
coquetry, was unusually fascinating, and every one who had been honored
by Miss Winnie's notice, pronounced her decidedly the belle of the
season; but as they turned to the gentle creature at her side, their
thoughts gradually assumed a different cast,--unconsciously the mind
wandered to other scenes than are usually of a fashionable evening
entertainment. It were absurd to call her a "belle," for the word seemed
void of expression.

The Sea-flower wore a simple dress of white blonde, with no other
ornament than the band of pearls, which had been the gift of her
well-loved friends. The little star, which was formed by the glittering
of the diamonds through the delicately-wrought pearl, which being the
centre of the collection was worn upon her forehead, sparkling like
tiny dro