“I must acknowledge that I do not give them a thought, after the door once closes upon them; poor, deluded creatures!”

“But do you think it right to deceive them thus?”

“Natie, darling, if you were not the most romantic creature that ever was, I should call you Miss Matter-of-fact!  But really, I don’t know as there is anything very criminal in helping such people to open their eyes; they find out, sooner or later, that I am of the opinion,—­there are as good fish in the sea as ever was caught.”

The Sea-flower said no more, for she feared her words might be worse than useless; but such are never idle words, and though Winnie appeared to give them little heed, yet many times afterward, in the midst of her gaiety, did she remember the Sea-flower’s question,—­“is it right to deceive thus?”

* * * * *

“Eighteen years old to-day!  Mother, just eighteen to-day!” shouted 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, which spoke of her return, and how delighted they would all be to have her in their little home once more.