been unfaithful in setting before him, tells me I shall not see my boy
again for many long days! Speak, my child, is it not so?"

"You have spoken too truly, mother; may you be able to bear up under
this affliction;" and she put the note into her mother's hand.

"My eyes fail me, my child! If it is not asking of you too much, tell me
what were his last words; they will fall more gently on my heart;" and
the tones of the Sea-flower were of comfort as she read:--

"My dear Mother--In the ship Nautilus, which will sail from this port on
the 20th of October, I have shipped for a Cape Horn voyage. You will
hardly believe what you read; nevertheless, it is true. I was very much
disappointed that I could not go with father, and thought I would wait
patiently until his return; but gaining permission from my present
captain to accompany him, I could not resist the temptation. I know I
shall do very wrong in going away without your consent, but forgive me,
if you can, mother; 't is the only act in which I have ever given you
sorrow, or by which I ever shall. You shall hear from me as often as I
can get an opportunity of sending home, and it will not be a great while
before I shall be with you again. I shall not forget my prayers night
and morning; and I know you will not cease to pray for your son, though
he should fall to the lowest depths of degradation. Tell father, when
you write him, that I have disobeyed his word; but ask him if he cannot
forgive me. It is possible that I may meet with him upon the ocean, and
may we both be spared to make you happy, my dear mother. Farewell, from
your affectionate son."

"I do forgive you, my son, in this cruel step which you have taken;
indeed, but how could he do thus? Oh, how could he!" and Mrs. Grosvenor,