“Flattery or no flattery, you must repeat that to please me,” said Mr. Santon, making manifest exertions to clear his throat, and looking for his handkerchief, as if suddenly seized with a cold.  The piece was repeated with greater effect, and it was not till Winnie began to rally him that Delwood was aware of his negligence in escorting the fair songstress to a seat.  “Pardon me, Miss Grosvenor,” he said, “but the first tone of your voice carried me far back, to when I was a child of five or six years.  It was in Italy, where my father spent some time, after my mother’s death, and it so happened that I was permitted to accompany him to an entertainment given by an Italian lady of note, who, in the course of the evening, favored the company with a song.  I was engaged with some sweetmeats as she commenced, but as she proceeded, gradually they fell from my hands, and when she had finished, I had found my way to her side, and clinging to her dress I burst into tears, begging her to take me to that beautiful place again!  It is years since I have thought of the circumstance, and I trust you will pardon my enthusiasm, when I say that your “Wanderer’s Home,” has produced a similar effect!”

Natalie expressed her thanks for the compliment, with blushing modesty, and as Delwood bade them good morning, after having made arrangements for testing their courage with his iron grays, on the following morning; so long did his eye linger upon her, who had full command of his every thought, that he did not observe miss Winnie, who was trembling lest her fresh supply of mischief should come to an unendurable crisis, before he should depart.

It was soon rumored that the lion had been tamed, that the beautiful Miss Grosvenor had found her way to the heart of Clarence Delwood.  Boston beauties sighed, and those who had been unsuccessful in what is sometimes termed “setting their caps,” looked on with interest, but none who had seen the favored one, could find it in their hearts to wish her other than a life of joy.  And thus time passed on, scarcely a day sped, but Clarence Delwood was seen ascending the steps of Mr. Santon’s hospitable mansion.  As Winnie expressed herself—­“the affair was coming on bravely;” she had now found for whom Natalie was reserving that heart, which in spite of her caution, would impart to others its only element.  The time was also drawing near, when Natalie was to have made glad her mother’s heart by her presence.  Old Vingo had desired his Massa Harry to write to young Missy, “dat eben de breakers gettin’ impatient to see her once more, and dat he walk alone now, on de beach in de moonlight, but he neber ’speck to find anoder Sea-flower.”