The impression which Natalie had received of the second wife of Mr.
Santon's choice, though she would not bring herself to realize it, were
by no means prepossessing. She had schooled her own, and Winnie's heart
to love her under any circumstances, but when she saw with what
frigidity she received Winnie's warm welcome, thinking not of the
condescension with which she had taken her own hand, her tender heart
was pierced as Winnie looked toward her, as if for strength, and she had
returned her look with a smile which could not fail to prove to her a
ray of sunshine.

Why is it that it is of so frequent occurrence, that a man who has been
blessed with peculiar loveliness of character in a wife, if he be called
upon to part with her, finds, alas! too late, in a second partner, an
extreme opposite? It was thus in Mr. Santon's experience, as he but too
soon was obliged to acknowledge to himself, though he would not that
others should have a suspicion of the fact; yet it was evident to his
nearest friends that he was not the happy man he once was; the few
sprinkles of gray, which had reflected honor upon the raven black of his
hair, had increased ere the honey-moon was hardly ended.

Early the next morning after the arrival of Mrs. Santon, Winnie was
awakened by an attendant, whose sense of propriety were a question, if
placed in a balance with that of her new mistress, which were the
weightier. The woman apologized for disturbing "her leddy-ship," but the
new mistress would like to see Miss Santon in the drawing-room as soon
as possible.

"You can go," was Winnie's reply, "and tell Mrs. Santon that at my
convenience, I will see her!" but recalling the servant, with her next
thought, she added, "merely say to my mother, that I will soon be with