Grosvenor's touch, and
behold!--the same features which he had looked upon day by day, for
twenty years, were revealed to him,--the features of his
Madonna--his child!
"My God!" exclaimed he, "I thank thee that thou hast brought me from
darkness to light, not only that I may acknowledge thy supremacy, but to
bless thee during the brief remainder of my days; if I may atone for my
deep sin in living so long without thee, even doubting thy existence!
This is truly a convincing proof that thou art all in all. I here vow,
that should the gracious Lord see fit to chasten his servant, by taking
away this, my last support, it shall only serve to increase my faith in
the love of my most precious Redeemer!" and with tearful eyes the old
gentleman held his grand-daughter to his heart.
"And is it really thus?" asked Natalie; "can it be that my mother has
been looking down upon me, from her home in the skies?"
"Your sainted mother is in heaven," spake Mr. Alboni.
The Sea-flower glanced towards her from whom she had ever received a
mother's tenderness; there was a smile upon her countenance, yet Natalie
observed, though she would fain be happy that her loved one was restored
to her kindred, undoubtedly an advantageous discovery in every point of
view, it was like an arrow to her heart; for was she not her child?
Natalie arose, and giving one hand to her mother, the other to him whom
she would henceforth look upon as a father, she said,--"Yes, my own
mother has gone to her home; she is an angel there, where I shall meet
her at the last; but you, my mother, can never be less dear to me; I
must always look upon you as my mother!" and throwing her arms about
Mrs.
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