she will lay herself open to be called upon again."

"She may rest assured that your sentiments, however expressed, will be
truth in regard to the matter! for you are far from being a flatterer,"
said Mr. Santon, as entering the apartment he welcomed Mr. Delwood to
his house. Natalie chose a simple piece--"The Wanderer's Home," and as
the sound of her voice died away, there was not a dry eye in the room.
Winnie was the first to break the spell, and smiling away a tear, she
exclaimed, "I had forgotten to caution you against too great success in
charming your listeners, therefore the _encores_ of your audience will
not permit you to retire without feeding the flame which you
have excited."

"Remember you were not to flatter me," said Natalie, glancing at
Delwood, who was silently contemplating her.

"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,