"
"_She_ is in heaven," mused the artist.
At this moment the door opened, and who should enter but Clarence
Delwood, who was much surprised to find Natalie thus unattended, in
earnest conversation with the mysterious artist. She arose as he
entered, and presented him to the gentleman, but she had not yet
learned his name. The artist presented his card to Delwood, assuming the
same frigid manner which had become his nature. Delwood gave one glance
at the Madonna.
"How is this, sir," asked he, in an excited manner, "that you have made
use of this lady's face to attract the notice of a vulgar public to your
works? Who gave you authority for such assurance as this, sir?"
"Calm yourself, Clarence," said the Sea-flower, mildly, "the gentleman
had never seen me, to his knowledge, until this morning. It rather
becomes us to apologize for this intrusion upon the sacred memory of
his child."
Mr. Delwood listened with astonishment to the information which we have
just learned, and his eyes wandered from the beautiful Madonna to the no
less beautiful being, whom he hoped, at no distant day, to call his own,
while a thought filled his soul with delight, and he said to
himself,--"I knew that she was infinitely above me, though outward
circumstances would make her of no particular distinction.
Pages:
210
211
212
213
214
215
216
217
218
219
220
221
222
223
224
225
226
227
228
229
230
231
232
233
234