when she would return to her home.

A simple morning dress of pink delise, edged with white, set off her
light figure to a charm; her snowy collar fastened with a cross, and
taking a lily of the valley from the mysterious bouquet, she placed it
in her hair, and half-hesitating, lest Winnie had been playing off one
of her mischievous tricks, she descended to the drawing-room. Seated
upon an ottoman, was no other than Clarence Delwood, who arose as she
entered, taking her proffered hand with some little embarrassment, which
was soon dispelled by the adroit Winnie, who took a seat at the piano,
and with a rich full voice sang the last opera. "Your friend, Miss
Santon, has an enviable voice," remarked Delwood to Natalie, regarding
the lily buds which he recognized as of the bouquet which he had ordered
his servant to place in the hands of her attendant, giving no name of
the donor. "Yes, I love to listen to her voice, it is so full of
feeling; she has a peculiar style! The Signor tells me her voice is of
great talent."

"I need not ask of your own voice," remarked Delwood, "for your tone
betrays you."

"Yes," cried Winnie, who in spite of the music had an ear alive to the
conversation, "it is moved and seconded that Miss Grosvenor shall give
us a benefit, and if she fails to entertain us with her first attempt,
she will lay herself open to be called upon again."

"She may rest assured that your sentiments, however expressed, will be
truth in regard to the matter! for you are far from being a flatterer,"
said Mr. Santon, as entering the apartment he welcomed Mr. Delwood to
his house. Natalie chose a simple piece--"The Wanderer's Home," and as
the sound of her voice died away, there was not a dry eye in the room.
Winnie was the first to break the spell, and smiling away a tear, she
exclaimed, "I had forgotten to caution you against too great success in
charming your listeners, therefore the _encores_ of your audience will
not permit you to retire without feeding the flame which you
have excited."

"Remember you were not to flatter me," said Natalie, glancing at
Delwood, who was silently contemplating her.

"Flattery or no flattery, you must repeat that to please me," said Mr.
Santon, making manifest exertions to clear his throat, and looking for
his handkerchief, as if suddenly seized with a cold. The piece was
repeated with greater effect, and it was not till Winnie began to rally
him that Delwood was aware of his ne