Could he once get initiated into her good graces, he had no fears for the rest; and he had already visions of what he was pleased to term, “Old Santon’s chest of gold.”  The attentions with which Winnie had received him, on former occasions, had served in no way to lessen his confidence as to his success, and with this end in view, his steps were bent towards the scene of gaiety.  Reasons best known to himself, forbidding him to pass Mr. Delwood, whom he overtook on the way.

“Quite an affair to-night!  I’m thinking,” remarked Montague, as he observed Delwood’s cool indifference, and endeavoring to draw him into conversation, he added, “there’s a young protege of Santon’s, staying with his daughter, who, I hear, hails from down east.  Nantucket, I believe, perhaps we may get a little information on harpooning!”

“Ah?” said Delwood, mechanically.

“Yes, the boys will have some sport I’m thinking; perhaps some of them may be induced to ship as mate, for a down east voyage!  I remember of sailing by Nantucket many years ago, on my return from Liverpool, (he did not add that he had worked his passage) and though some twenty miles distant, we fancied that we got a whiff of the hump-backs.  Our captain was a jolly sort of fellow, and would have us land-lubbers believe that his experienced eye could see half across the ocean, but he found we were too smart for him, when he told us he could see a church-steeple looming up on the island, for of course we knew that such things were not raised there.”

Much to Mr. Delwood’s relief, they had now arrived at Mr. Santon’s residence.  As the name of Delwood was announced, all eyes were turned toward him, for his presence was considered a great acquisition to any circle, and many a fair one envied Winnie Santon, as he claimed her hand for the first dance.  The Sea-flower stood by Mrs. Santon’s side, that she might attend to her least wish, when young Montague, disappointed that he had not been the first to secure the hand of Winnie, in an obsequious manner, solicited the pleasure of Miss Grosvenor’s company, to complete the set, but she politely declining the honor, the young man, by the aid of the brass which constituted no small portion of his composition, begged leave to remain by her side, that he might make some few inquiries in regard to her enchanting home, which place he always had a great desire to visit.

“The islanders I suppose are mostly fishermen, yet,” added he, glancing rudely into her face, “there are some persons of intelligence among them, are there not?”

Natalie looked at him for a moment, as if in doubt whether ignorance or some meaner motive had prompted the question, when she remarked, “you evidently have never learned of the great dangers attendant upon a stranger’s visit to Nantucket.”

“Ah, indeed, I shall be under great obligations for the information,” said he, his eyes wide open with curiosity! “pray, what are those dangers?”