landers, as you have imagined, being so unlike the inhabitants of
civilized lands, have such a natural propensity for wielding the
harpoon, that should a person differing from their kind appear amongst
them, they might be liable to capture him, mistaking the object for a
new species of land-shark!"

At this piece of information, delivered in such a calm, pleasant manner,
the smiles which had been visible on the faces of those who listened,
grew into a hearty laugh, in which the chagrined Montague joined, as
being the safest way of retreat, and although piqued by the ludicrous
position in which he had been placed, he could not but look with
admiration upon the gentle creature, whose pleasant repartee had been in
self-defence.

Natalie followed with her eye the graceful form of Winnie, as she
threaded her way through the dance, occasionally interchanging a witty
remark with her handsome partner, and as he lead her to a seat, Natalie
observed to Mrs. Santon, "how beautiful dear Winnie is to-night! I do
not know who can help loving her!" So enthusiastic was she in her
praises, that she had not observed the two contemplating her, and ere
she was aware of their approach, the bewitching Winnie had taken her
hand, and presenting Mr. Delwood, she mischievously remarked, "Now, Miss
critic, it is for you to perform _a la perfectione_, and depend upon it,
you shall be dealt with according to your own measure! for you have not
once taken those eyes off from me through the whole course!"

Before Natalie could say a word in her defence, the music had commenced,
and ere she had hardly realized it she had taken Winnie's place by the
side of Mr. Delwood. Other eyes than Natalie's had looked upon Winnie
with admiration, as she had leaned upon the arm of Delwood, but now, as
he led forth "the gentle star," the suppressed murmur of applause must
have been apparent to the fair one herself had she not been engaged with
other thoughts. For several successive figures it so happened that
Natalie was the partner of the reserved Mr. Delwood, who never was known
to appear a second time upon the floor, and it also happened, how, or at
what moment was a mystery, that the two had sought to dispel fatigue, by
the conservatory's soothing influences, whither the eye of Winnie
wandered ever and anon, as with Mr. Montague she vied with her
competitors in the giddy waltz. Miss Winnie's brain was capable of
containing two thoughts at the same time, and no