urtail my expenses in the least, and I know that my necessary expenses
here, must be a great tax upon her income; to be sure Harry has often
said, that our dear mother shall never know what it is to want; but for
all that, I feel that I might do something to repay my mother for all
that she has done for me. Yes! it is my duty! and it certainly would be
a duty of pleasure, if I could do anything to assist her." This it was,
which had caused the thoughtful expression of the Sea-flower; this which
had called forth the ever ready wit of Miss Winnie--had detained
Delwood's gaze! But what would be the sentiment of uppertendom, when it
should be rumored that the beautiful young creature, of the proud
Clarence Delwood's choice, had stooped so low, as to maintain herself by
her own hands? How would Mr. Delwood himself receive such an
announcement? such thoughts did not occur to the mind of the noble
hearted girl; her every thought and act were of good, and she did not
for once think, that there were those, who could sneer at good motives.
Ah! Natalie, this is a cold, unfeeling world, at best! as experience of
long years doth confirm. Thy little day hath not yet taught thee, that
the world is born of sin, for thou only lookest on the human face as
divine. How Natalie was to render assistance to her mother, by relieving
her of any incumbrance, of which she, herself, might be the cause, had
not yet been matured, until Delwood had spoken of the popular
picture-gallery, of the unknown artist; when as we have said, her face
was lit up with a new thought. "I will seek this gentleman, and it may
be that he can be induced to bring out the dormant powers, which I am
persuaded are in existence; for my love for his department of the fine
arts, knows no bounds! To-morrow I will visit him. This veil of mystery
would seem a barrier, yet perhaps it is of sadness, and I can conceive
that such are of the tender hearted,--alive to another's wants."

"Want!" she repeated aloud; it sounded strangely upon her ear; and
indeed, we cannot couple the thought with such as she! Can such fair
ones of earth, meet with the chilling breath of adversity? Yes, we may
meet with them in our wanderings! Let us deal with them tenderly; for it
may be one of heaven's sensitive flowers. Stranger still would that word
have sounded to Mrs. Grosvenor and her son, in connection with their
Sea-flower, yet it was remotest from their minds, that such thoughts
would find their