be pleased to leave her."

With these plans matured, she ushered herself into Delwood's presence,
and in her blandest manner made him welcome, initiating herself as far
as possible into his good opinion, which was no difficult task, inasmuch
as he had been accustomed to look upon a character so spotless, that he
was not prepared for the detestable machinations of one who was not
worthy the name of woman. It had been far from the Sea-flower to breathe
a suspicion that there was aught amiss in the character of the
flattering mistress of Santon Mansion. Her high esteem for Mr. Santon
had not permitted her to speak of the sad change, even to her mother.

"My dear," said Mrs. Santon, turning to Natalie, "in the pleasure which
we must ever find in Mr. Delwood's society, you have forgotten your
engagement with the destitute family, which you have taken under your
especial charge, and poor Mrs. Brown's child is so ill, I fear a few
hours' delay in taking the necessary restoratives recommended by our
physician, may cause the poor thing to suffer; I would despatch an
attendant, but I fear there may be some mistake made, and I know your
very presence will impart comfort to the poor woman."

"Oh, no, I had not forgotten them," replied Natalie; "but the physician
said any time this afternoon would do, as the little sufferer's disease
is about turning, and we must await the result."

"Yes, but I have such an anxiety about them, for in their ignorance they
may act contrary to orders, and so be the means of the little fellow's
death. It will be a great relief to my mind if you will just step around
and look in upon them, as it is but a step, and I know Mr. Delwood will
excuse you for a few moments, and I will promise to do my best to supply
your absence."

Natalie prepared to depart on this errand of mercy, and Delwood would
have taken his hat to accompany her, but Mrs. Santon held him fast by
commencing a brisk conversation, from which he could not with politeness
take himself away.

"Miss Grosvenor excels in her performance of the latest style, which the
Signor has introduced," remarked Mrs. Santon, endeavoring to draw him
out, when the Sea-flower had departed.

"I am perfectly amazed at her original rendering of the Italian,"
replied Delwood, "and I think I can safely say, that among all my
sojournings among their people, I have never met with one whose style is
more pure than that of Miss Grosvenor's. I should certainly say