Your looks and ways attracted me when I first met you; and when you told me Alfred Royal was your father, I longed to clasp you to my heart.

And now you know, my dear child, that you have a friend ever ready to listen to any troubles you may choose to confide, and desirous to remove them if she can." She rose to open the boxes of shell-work; but Flora sprung up, and threw herself into her arms, saying, "My Papasito sent you to me,--I know he did." After a few moments spent in silent emotion, Mrs.Delano again spoke of the approaching twilight, and with mutual caresses they bade each other adieu.
Four or five days later, Floracita made her appearance at the Welby plantation in a state of great excitement.

She was in a nervous tremor, and her eyelids were swollen as if with much weeping.

Mrs.
Delano hastened to enfold her in her arms, saying: "What is it, my child?
Tell your new Mamita what it is that troubles you so." "O, _may_ I call you Mamita ?" asked Flora, looking up with an expression of grateful love that warmed all the fibres of her friend's heart.

"O, I do so need a Mamita! I am very wretched; and if you don't help me, I don't know what I _shall_ do!" "Certainly, I will help you, if possible, when you have told me your trouble," replied Mrs.Delano.
"Yes, I will tell," said Flora, sighing.