Then she said, "It is my
duty! I will remain with you! I feel there is something which bids me
stay; some mysterious power controlling my destiny."
"May you have your reward!" was Mr. Santon's reply; and we heartily
respond, "May she have her reward!"
Never a word did Mrs. Santon receive from the Sea-flower, in return for
her ungenerous treatment of her, other than tones of kindness; and
Natalie was happy under this new dispensation, for she said within
herself,--"I am but bearing a part of the burden which would crush dear
Winnie's heart;" and so she sang and played with her usual glad spirit,
gliding about the house with simple dignity, with a cheering word for
every one, and, as Biddy said,--"she was an escaped ray of light, too
bright for the darkness to hide."
As we may foresee, this very light-heartedness of the Sea-flower only
served to incite the ire of Mrs. Santon, who saw that every new
indignity which she had cast upon her, was returned with more meekness
of spirit. If Natalie had resented such conduct, giving "measure for
measure," the stern woman could have borne it better; but as it was, it
enraged her, that she could not come within her sphere; and, if the
truth were known, her senses were not so steeped in the waters of
insensibility, but that in her very heart she felt her great superiority
over herself.
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