of his labors; Their whole community had been more or less affected by this failure.  As to Mrs. Grosvenor’s own loss, she had said it was not heavy, or, at least, she had spoken of it as not resting heavily upon her spirits; why then should the Sea-flower’s thoughts dwell thus upon the matter?—­she still mused—­“I fear this may have been a heavier loss, than the gentle words, so characteristic of my mother’s tenderness for me, may imply! she would not, if it were in her power to prevent, have me feel that I must curtail my expenses in the least, and I know that my necessary expenses here, must be a great tax upon her income; to be sure Harry has often said, that our dear mother shall never know what it is to want; but for all that, I feel that I might do something to repay my mother for all that she has done for me.  Yes! it is my duty! and it certainly would be a duty of pleasure, if I could do anything to assist her.”  This it was, which had caused the thoughtful expression of the Sea-flower; this which had called forth the ever ready wit of Miss Winnie—­had detained Delwood’s gaze!  But what would be the sentiment of uppertendom, when it should be rumored that the beautiful young creature, of the proud Clarence Delwood’s choice, had stooped so low, as to maintain herself by her own hands?  How would Mr. Delwood himself receive such an announcement? such thoughts did not occur to the mind of the noble hearted girl; her every thought and act were of good, and she did not for once think, that there were those, who could sneer at good motives.  Ah!  Natalie, this is a cold, unfeeling world, at best! as experience of long years doth confirm.  Thy little day hath not yet taught thee, that the world is born of sin, for thou only lookest on the human face as divine.  How Natalie was to render assistance to her mother, by relieving her of any incumbrance, of which she, herself, might be the cause, had not yet been matured, until Delwood had spoken of the popular picture-gallery, of the unknown artist; when as we have said, her face 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