ght Mr. Delwood a welcome visitor to the house; yet
this defeat did not subdue her bitter feelings towards the Sea-flower;
they only slumbered, to break out afresh on the first occasion that
might present. Natalie had observed the Signor's abrupt departure; she
knew that something must be amiss, and questioning Winnie in the matter,
she disclosed to her what never came to the ear of Mr. Santon:

"I forgive her," said the Sea-flower, "and I can pity her; for perhaps
she has never had dear friends who might teach her how to love."

CHAPTER X.

THE MADONNA AND CHILD.

"Pure and undimmed, thy angel smile
Is mirrored on my dreams,
Like evening's sunset girded isle,
Upon her shadowed streams;
And o'er my thoughts thy vision floats,
Like melody of spring-bird notes,
When the blue halcyon gently laves
His plumage in the flashing waves."

PARK BENJAMIN.

"Please, miss, a letter for you," said the post-boy, handing Natalie a
letter, which she was not long in discovering, was from her dear mother.

"I thank you, most heartily," said she, in her low, musical voice, which
caused the youthful sprig of Uncle Sam's department to leave incomplete
the angle of forty-five degrees, which he had been in the habit of
considering as of no little importance in the perfecting of his duties,
as he went his daily rounds.

"Zounds!" said he to himself, as he went whistling up the street, "if I
don't hope they'll send down another document to her soon!" and his eyes
wandered up to the little patch of blue sky which was to be seen between
the tops of brick walls.

The Sea-flower perused the letter, and sat, apparently buried in deep
thought.

"Why, Natie, darling," exclaimed Winnie, as she came bounding into the
room, "what has given you such a wise look this morning? A letter, eh?
good news, I trust; far be the day which shall bring to you aught but
happiness."

"Thank you, thank you, Winnie, for your good wishes; but I cannot well
conceive of any other than pleasure coming from my gentle mother's pen."

Winnie ran her fingers lightly over the keys of the piano, and Natalie
did not suspect, as she listened to her sprightly air, that there was a
bright tear glistening in her eye at the holy name of--mother.

"But you are unusually thoughtful to-day, Natalie," said Winnie,
running her taper fingers through the sunny tresses of her friend, "did
I not know it were an impossibility, I sho