ishment pictured in
her countenance, that Mr. Delwood should have honored them with what she
termed "a sunrise call;" and that he should have asked for her in
particular, was a matter more mysterious. His manners, so unlike
himself, served to check at once her flow of spirits, which, in spite of
the weight of oppression which had marked the last year, would find
vent, if not in a witty remark, in the expression of her speaking
countenance was it visible; but she was not slow to discern that some
serious subject was upon his mind, and became serious also.

In a few words he informed her of what he had learned from Mrs. Santon
the day previous, but what was his astonishment to find her totally
ignorant of the circumstances, not hesitating to declare the whole a
base falsehood.

"I had not a doubt of the falsity of the report," said Delwood; "but
what can have given rise to such a statement? Surely, your mother would
not wish to injure my feelings, by repeating what may have originated,
without foundation, among the servants, and which she could not have
herself credited!"

Winnie saw the truth at once, knowing as she did the character of her,
whom, if she had ever looked upon as a mother, must from this moment
forfeit every claim upon her feelings, unless it were that of
utter contempt.

"Mr. Delwood," said she, raising herself to her full height, her slender
fingers clenched together, every nerve 'roused to action,--"if you would
not insult me, never again call the woman who has had the heart to cast
such a slur upon the character of her whom we know is innocent, _my
mother_! It is not to injure your feelings that she has invented such a
vile scheme, but it is by injuring Natalie's character in your eyes, she
may banish from her heart all future happiness. Nay, do not start at
such a strange declaration from my lips; you are the only person, out
of my father's household, who has a suspicion that our happiness is not
what it once was; but since it has come to this, I will, at the risk of
disclosing to the world what it were wisdom to conceal, establish the
innocent; and rest assured that what I say is true,--this originated not
among the servants, for there is not one but would kneel and kiss the
very ground upon which our dear Sea-flower treads."

Delwood was thunderstruck.

"Indeed, I never could have mistrusted Mrs. Santon's character was so
vile!" said he; "but I can sooner believe this than that darkness is
b