heap, in spite ob ebery ting, I should feel dat old age am coming wid
long strides, when I see dat de wee bud ob de Sea-flower am almost in
bloom. But see here, missy," said he, holding up a fresh cod which he
had taken, "I'm tinking dat make massa Harry's eyes sparkle."

It was the hour for family prayers.

"Had you not better go to Harry's room, dear, and see if he is ill this
morning? he is unusually late," said Mrs. Grosvenor.

"I tink de fragrance ob de salt water about dat cod fetch him soon,"
remarked Vingo, endeavoring to smooth his face into a proper state
of sobriety.

Gently the Sea-flower tapped at her brother's door, but receiving no
answer, she ventured in; the room was in the same order in which she had
left it the day before, for she took great pleasure in arranging the
flowers upon his dressing table, and no one could impart such a
coziness, arranging everything to his mind, as could Sea-flower. The bed
had not been disturbed, and the book from which she had read to him, was
lying thereon, opened at those beautiful verses of "The Iris of the
Deep," which he loved so well to hear her read. What could it mean?
Calmly her breath came and went; but for that she appeared like a
beautiful piece of statuary, her eyes turned upward, as if seeking for
strength to meet the vague sense of desolation which was creeping into
her heart. Upon the table were two notes, one addressed to her mother,
the other to herself, in his hand-writing. With nerveless hand she broke
the seal; no emotion was visible, save the delicate glow upon her cheek,
which came and went, and the playing of the muscles about her compressed
lips, as she read the following: