Winnie, as she came into the breakfast room, her cheeks vieing with the
red of the rose; "how happy I am!" and casting a look of contempt at the
hot rolls and coffee, as if such things were hereafter to be classed
among the necessities of the past, she went bounding away to find her
father. Opening the door of the _boudoir_, she paused; arranged upon the
table were her birthday gifts, and Mr. Santon had spared no pains to
make the collection as rare as possible. In the centre of the table was
a set of diamonds for the hair, and as Winnie clasped them about her
dark tresses, she laughed outright, exclaiming,--"They are so handsome!
papa, I cannot wait for night to come! But what is this?" she asked,
drawing from a case a string of pearls, and holding them up to the
light. In the centre of the collection was one curiously wrought pearl,
so formed as to represent a star, and the sparkling of several diamonds
from within, produced a very brilliant effect. Examining it closely, she
discovered the initials, "N. G.," wrought upon the setting."

"It is for you, Natalie!" she exclaimed to the Sea-flower, who stood
enjoying Winnie's delight. "I thank you, father, for remembering
dear Natalie."

"Is it for me?" asked Natalie, hesitating to receive the gift.

"Yes, take it," said Mr. Santon, putting the treasure into her hand;
"keep it as a memento of our high esteem for you; and," added he, "I,
for one, shall petition, after you have finished your studies, to have
you remain with us another season, that we may then have more of
your society."

Natalie expressed her sincere thanks, but the mention of remaining
another season brought to her remembrance her mother's last letter,