me, dear,
that you prefer your mother's sick room to more attractive society!" Had
she known of the struggle which had been going on in her daughter's
heart, through the influence of the gentle one whom she looked upon as a
well-loved child, her eye could hardly have been brighter than it was,
as her child pressed a kiss upon her forehead, and said, "I shall always
love best to be with you mother."

That night Winnie retired with a determination to strive to overcome her
sinful ways, and as she heard the voice of the Sea-flower at her evening
devotions, (their rooms adjoining,) she spoke aloud, "I will try to be
more like her." With this resolve, she fell asleep; but as the rising
sun peeped in at her window, there were to be found no traces of her
evening resolutions! If any thing, mischief looked out upon the new day
with renewed earnestness, and Winnie Santon was the same gay, reckless
creature as ever.

"Ah, ha, miss puss, so your bow is new strung again, is it?" said Mr.
Santon to his daughter, as the door closed upon one of the mustached
upper ten, who frequently found their way to the elegant mansion of
Mr. Santon.

"'New strung' with an old string, father; if these exquisites are
foolish enough to burn their fingers a second time, they must suffer the
consequences."

Mr. Santon laughed, and merely said,--"Oh, you cruel beauty!" returning
to his paper again; but, seated in the bay-window was one, who could not
thus lightly look upon the conduct of the coquettish Winnie, for it was
evident she was a sad coquette. Often had Natalie observed her, as she
received each admirer with the same bewitching smile, impressing him
with the belief that he of all others was the favored one, and he would
depart, to return again as early as the rules of propriety would admit,
considering the fair one was not yet out.

"Natalie," asked Winnie, as she seated herself at her embroidery, "why
did you not deign to give Mr. Redfield one of your winning smiles? You
are so reserved, and take so little notice of the gentlemen, that I
shall begin to think your charms are doomed to fade beneath the
convent veil."

"I was not aware that I did not receive Mr. Redfield with cordiality."

"Yes, but the absence of that fascinating air, which you know would
bring the most unyielding to your feet, is what I am lamenting. Had Mr.
Redfield been my only admirer, I should have been jealous of the glances
which he cast at you; but I don't know