It was the day before they would bid adieu to pleasant scenes here, to
journey to Liverpool, for business led Mr. Alboni to sail for America
from that port. The sun had gone down,--the last sunset which the
Sea-flower would look upon here,--the last sunset! Pause, dear
reader,--when will that same sun set to us for the last time? It may be
soon, it may be later; yet it is the same, for all time is present with
God. The evening shades began to claim their reign, regardless of the
smiles and entreaties of lingering day, that he would delay his
approach,--fit symbol of sunny youth, who would banish from his presence
death's unrelenting grasp. And yet, who does not love night with earnest
tenderness? and has no one a smile for death?
Natalie still lingered beneath the ivy trellis, her feet drawn upon the
cushions, for she would not crush the gentle flowers, which told to her
their love in the rich perfume of the air; and yet, if trodden under
foot, the flowers, with their dying breath, the beauteous flowers, do,
with their richest perfume, breathe forgiveness.
Her eye was fixed upon the lake,--its glassy ripples a striking contrast
to the giant waves upon which she had ever looked with delight.
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