and he takes
anoder like it, and say, 'Phillis, we will keep dem; dey's not quite as
'spressive as de garultypes ob missus's, but when you sees dat, you may
know dat old Bingo am tinking ob you."

"And do you ever think to meet him again?" asked Natalie, without
betraying her emotion at such a discovery.

"Oh, missy, if he know anyting about heaven, I might 'speck to meet him
dar; but we not know anyting 'bout dat good place den, and I 'specks he
am clean used up by dis time; clean gone, widout eber hearin' ob de
good Lor'!"

"And your children,--you have never forgotten them?"

"No, missy, I neber forgets dem, and though dey brack as dar mammy, I
lub dem as much as dat pure creter dar; and I takes dem in my arms, and
press dem to my heart de same, but I rudder be called to part wid dem,
dan dat such as she hab to gib up her chilen, for 'pears like I can bear
it better, cause I's brack."

"My good woman, you have a forgiving spirit for your oppressors, and,
thank God, I have it in my power to make two of my fellow mortals happy.
What should you say, if I were to tell you where you may find
your husband?"

The woman looked at her, without speaking a word.

"Your husband is alive and well; and faithful old Vingo is at this
moment in my mother's family, where his wants, spiritual and temporal,
are cared for; and he has often told me, if he could but once again see
his wife, Phillis, he should die happy."

The woman gave one long, piercing cry, and sank upon the floor. At this
instant the artist issued from an adjoining apartment, and stood gazing
upon the scene.

"My God! what do I see?" exclaimed the gentleman, in a voice which
instantly riveted the Sea-flower's attention upon him.

"Tell me! in mercy tell me who thou art!" and he leaned against a column
for support.

Had Natalie been heir to that weakness which is somewhat characteristic
of the gentler sex, she might have been terrified at such deep,
impassioned language from a perfect stranger, trembling with the
certainty that she stood face to face with a lunatic; but no such fear
was hers. Advancing, she bowed low, in honor to his superior age,
saying, "pardon me, if I am an intruder here; yet, sir, an apology is
needless, for who can resist the grace and beauty which is here
displayed? My presence, sir, has evidently disturbed you, and if you
will permit me to ask one question, I will retire;--the Madonna, that
face of an angel, is she the pure produ