Natalie blushed, for there came at once a rush of thoughts to her mind.  She but then remembered the pleasures of last evening.  Winnie giving her a knowing look, left her to her own reflections.  Banishing all other thoughts from her mind, Natalie kneeled at her morning devotions, her low voice went up in thanks for the many blessings which were hers, not forgetting to ask for greater favors for her dear mother and brother, whom she expected so soon to meet, in two short weeks, at the time which had been fixed, when she would return to her home.

A simple morning dress of pink delise, edged with white, set off her light figure to a charm; her snowy collar fastened with a cross, and taking a lily of the valley from the mysterious bouquet, she placed it in her hair, and half-hesitating, lest Winnie had been playing off one of her mischievous tricks, she descended to the drawing-room.  Seated upon an ottoman, was no other than Clarence Delwood, who arose as she entered, taking her proffered hand with some little embarrassment, which was soon dispelled by the adroit Winnie, who took a seat at the piano, and with a rich full voice sang the last opera.  “Your friend, Miss Santon, has an enviable voice,” remarked Delwood to Natalie, regarding the lily buds which he recognized as of the bouquet which he had ordered his servant to place in the hands of her attendant, giving no name of the donor.  “Yes, I love to listen to her voice, it is so full of feeling; she has a peculiar style!  The Signor tells me her voice is of great talent.”

“I need not ask of your own voice,” remarked Delwood, “for your tone betrays you.”

“Yes,” cried Winnie, who in spite of the music had an ear alive to the conversation, “it is moved and seconded that Miss Grosvenor shall give us a benefit, and if she fails to entertain us with her first attempt, she will lay herself open to be called upon again.”

“She may rest assured that your sentiments, however expressed, will be truth in regard to the matter! for you are far from being a flatterer,” said Mr. Santon, as entering the apartment he welcomed Mr. Delwood to his house.  Natalie chose a simple piece—­“The Wanderer’s Home,” and as the sound of her voice died away, there was not a dry eye in the room.  Winnie was the first to break the spell, and smiling away a tear, she exclaimed, “I had forgotten to caution you against too great success in charming your listeners, therefore the encores of your audience will not permit you to retire without feeding the flame which you have excited.”

“Remember you were not to flatter me,” said Natalie, glancing at Delwood, who was silently contemplating her.