forfeit every claim upon her feelings, unless it were that of
utter contempt.

"Mr. Delwood," said she, raising herself to her full height, her slender
fingers clenched together, every nerve 'roused to action,--"if you would
not insult me, never again call the woman who has had the heart to cast
such a slur upon the character of her whom we know is innocent, _my
mother_! It is not to injure your feelings that she has invented such a
vile scheme, but it is by injuring Natalie's character in your eyes, she
may banish from her heart all future happiness. Nay, do not start at
such a strange declaration from my lips; you are the only person, out
of my father's household, who has a suspicion that our happiness is not
what it once was; but since it has come to this, I will, at the risk of
disclosing to the world what it were wisdom to conceal, establish the
innocent; and rest assured that what I say is true,--this originated not
among the servants, for there is not one but would kneel and kiss the
very ground upon which our dear Sea-flower treads."

Delwood was thunderstruck.

"Indeed, I never could have mistrusted Mrs. Santon's character was so
vile!" said he; "but I can sooner believe this than that darkness is
born of light. And has Miss Grosvenor suffered the ill-will of this
cruel, cruel woman, and never lisped a word but should lead others to
respect her? Noble girl that she is! thrice noble have these very evil
designings proved her! 'Tis useless for intrigue to cope with purity."

"And she bade you come and see for yourself. What meaning is there in
that?" asked Winnie; for surely such an act would go to prove her
innocence."