eart
was pierced as Winnie looked toward her, as if for strength, and she had
returned her look with a smile which could not fail to prove to her a
ray of sunshine.

Why is it that it is of so frequent occurrence, that a man who has been
blessed with peculiar loveliness of character in a wife, if he be called
upon to part with her, finds, alas! too late, in a second partner, an
extreme opposite? It was thus in Mr. Santon's experience, as he but too
soon was obliged to acknowledge to himself, though he would not that
others should have a suspicion of the fact; yet it was evident to his
nearest friends that he was not the happy man he once was; the few
sprinkles of gray, which had reflected honor upon the raven black of his
hair, had increased ere the honey-moon was hardly ended.

Early the next morning after the arrival of Mrs. Santon, Winnie was
awakened by an attendant, whose sense of propriety were a question, if
placed in a balance with that of her new mistress, which were the
weightier. The woman apologized for disturbing "her leddy-ship," but the
new mistress would like to see Miss Santon in the drawing-room as soon
as possible.

"You can go," was Winnie's reply, "and tell Mrs. Santon that at my
convenience, I will see her!" but recalling the servant, with her next
thought, she added, "merely say to my mother, that I will soon be with
her," and hastily making her toilet, she repaired to the drawing-room.

Mrs. Santon was alone, for it was a full hour before the family's usual
time for arising. Winnie bade her mother "good morning," and was about
to ask if she had rested well in her new home, when she was interrupted
by her, and in an imperative tone she said:--

"This may be earlier than you have been accustomed to 'rising, Miss
Santon, but my habits for early rising are proverbial, and of course my
household will conform to my wishes in regard to matters which you will
at once see are for the best. What I wished to speak with you more
particularly about this morning, is in regard to the keys; you will
please produce them, as I shall have a thorough overhauling at once, and
if I mistake not," said she, glancing at Winnie's neat morning attire,
"the sooner the better, for I think those jewelled hands have not
troubled themselves much about such things. I wonder that you have not
been brought up to something beside killing time!"

"Madam!" vociferated Winnie, her face crimsoned with the insult which
she had re