was lit up with a new thought. "I will seek this gentleman, and it may
be that he can be induced to bring out the dormant powers, which I am
persuaded are in existence; for my love for his department of the fine
arts, knows no bounds! To-morrow I will visit him. This veil of mystery
would seem a barrier, yet perhaps it is of sadness, and I can conceive
that such are of the tender hearted,--alive to another's wants."

"Want!" she repeated aloud; it sounded strangely upon her ear; and
indeed, we cannot couple the thought with such as she! Can such fair
ones of earth, meet with the chilling breath of adversity? Yes, we may
meet with them in our wanderings! Let us deal with them tenderly; for it
may be one of heaven's sensitive flowers. Stranger still would that word
have sounded to Mrs. Grosvenor and her son, in connection with their
Sea-flower, yet it was remotest from their minds, that such thoughts
would find their way to her heart. Mrs. Grosvenor's circumstances were
indeed more embarrassed than she had expressed to Natalie, yet she had
sufficient left, wherewith they might by retrenching a little, live very
comfortably. Accordingly, that Natalie might not feel this change, she
had dismissed her only servant (if we may do honor to old Vingo, by
dubbing him with a more elevated appellation), making some other
restrictions in her domestic affairs, for the sake of the child, whom
she knew was not her own by kindred, doing away with what she persuaded
herself were but unnecessary indulgences. Faithful mother! thou wilt
have thy reward.

Natalie arose the next morning, refreshed by the sweet repose which
innocence only knows, and although the day was ushered in with clouds,
and an occasional rain-drop, she proceeded to put into execution the
plans of yesterday; she had made no one a confidant of her designs, not
even Winnie; and when that little lady met her in the hall, all armed