And what spell is this that so usurps the calm, usually characteristic of her nature?  We have a vague suspicion as to what it may be, yet she is all innocent of the source from which these new feelings have sprung; even the last low words of Delwood, which are still sounding in her ear, do not lead her to mistrust, and we leave her, as the fringed eyelids at last droop in repose, to take a peep at our hero, who is only distant a few squares from the gentle one, who, he feels, as he sits by the gas-light, made pallid by the dawn of day, is all the world to him.

If Delwood possessed the cold heart, of which the world gave him the credit, its fetters had at last yielded to the genial sunshine.  Sleep was most remote from him, and pacing his room with a quick tread, he uttered, in a sarcastic tone—­“Love!  Clarence Delwood in love!  Love at first sight!  I never would have credited it!” his voice softening, he added—­“I feel confident that she of all others, is the only one who could have wrought this change!  No, I cannot look upon this as weakness!  I must see more of her; she is an angel of purity, too good for such as I. Can she think favorably of me? and what will my father say, if he learns that his only son will sue for favor in the eyes of—­it may be a maiden of low birth!  It matters not!  Should he disinherit me, I will seek her society!  I must love her even though she look upon me coldly.  I will see her again this very day!” with these resolves he threw himself upon his couch, if he might get a little rest, before he again went forth into the busy day, with feelings how changed!

Natalie was awakened from her late slumbers, by a kiss from Winnie, whose merry voice made the apartment ring.  “So, ho!  Miss Natalie,” she exclaimed, “you have been holding late revels with the water nymphs by moonlight! and now, when the stronger light of the sun bids us mortals awake, you have made good your retreat, and are enjoying Morpheus’s protecting care! but I can guess from whence the smiles came, as you slept! never fear, darling, I’ll tell nobody of whom you dreamed!”

“Why, Winnie dear,” exclaimed Natalie, endeavoring to free herself from the kisses which that crazy little body was lavishing upon her, “have I slept so late? and what has turned your head so early this morning?  I do not know what will become of us all before the day is ended, if you go on thus.”  Opening her eyes, she looked about her, endeavoring to collect her senses.  Her eye fell upon a bouquet, of the finest, most delicate flowers, in a vase, upon her toilet table; it had evidently been placed there since she had retired, as she did not remember of seeing it before.  “You are very kind, Winnie, in being so thoughtful of me,” she said, “but where did you get those beautiful varieties? they are not from our conservatory.”

“O, you innocent rogue! you think to make me believe you know nothing of them, do you? they certainly came from some one who was thoughtful of your well-being! but come, make yourself look as charming as possible, for there is a friend awaiting us in the drawing room, who it is, I’ll not say, for ‘haste makes waste,’ you know!”