ight kissed the white sea-caps,
as each strove to lift its head above its fellows, as if to gaze upon
night's purity,--or, mayhap, they would beckon that gentle one, who
smiled upon their wild joy, as she reclined upon her lover's breast, to
join them, in their revellings. Upon the broad bank of the old South
Shore they sat,--a favorite resort of the youth and maidens of this
little island of a mid-summer's eve,--old Sankoty to the eastward,
lifting high his head, imparting a flood of radiance in pity to
thousands, who watch with an intensity, to make the well-known light,
rejoicing no less when they have left it far behind, for well do they
realize that they have passed one of the most dangerous shoals to be
found on the American coast. Behind them, distance about three miles, is
the town; there is no din and bustle borne on the night air to their
ears,--naught is heard but the moaning voice of the night wind, mingled
with the ceaseless roar of the ocean. Here, far from the world's
contumely, no eye to see, no ear to hear, save that of Him who is
omnipresent, were those vows of love renewed, and registered above. Many
a fair maiden has here since plighted her faith, here given her hand to
the loved one of her choice, (heaven bless the union of Nantucket's fair
ones!) yet the night has never since looked down upon two of more
perfect oneness of heart, than those of whom this serene night
bore witness.

"And will you still retain your foster-name?" asked Delwood, "or will
you travel under your grandfather's Italian name? By the way, I have not
heard the name of your father."

"Paul Sunderland was my father's name."

"Sunderland! the Lady Sunderland! I have seen your mother, Natalie!"
exclaimed he. "It was none other than she, the kind, beautiful lady who
sang to me when I was but a child, in Italy; she whom I begged to take
me to that beautiful place again! Ah, it comes to me now, in no dream,
but a reality; I have always thought, since I first beheld you, that I
had somewhere, at some unknown time, seen a picture which was like you;
but, strange, it was none other than the mother of my own dear
Sea-flower!"

"And your eyes have looked upon my mother, Clarence," said she, gazing
into his very soul,--"and she has smiled upon you? Oh, I shall love you
with a holier love for this!" and the young girl paused, and trembled,
as he held her to his heart, for the thought came rushing into her
soul,--"Oh, what a fearful thin