But all times come to an end; passing away, is written upon everything pertaining to earth; and the time when our friends should return to their island home, drew near.

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.  Ah, who may divine her thoughts, as she muses thus?  A faint smile plays with the dimples around her mouth, and but for the words she whispers, one might indeed think her intent upon the ripples which kiss the shore at her feet; but no, she is transported to where the breaker’s roar is heard, and a proud, noble form she sees,—­his piercing eye bent upon the sea.  Full well she knows for whom his heart thus wildly beats; “dear, good Clarence,” she whispers, and starting from her revery, she kneels in prayer.  “My Father, God, thou art merciful unto the weakest of thy frail ones, keep thou my heart to thee alone; may I have no other gods before thee; cast out all idols, if any there be, and breathe thy spirit within my soul; and may thy will be done.”

“Amen,” was the response of bright ones, of upper spheres, and may we receive strength to say,—­“Thy will be done.”

“Adieu, dear home of my childhood,” spake Mr. Alboni, as the dim outlines of the land of his nativity at last faded in the distance; and burying his face in his hands, he gave himself up to his own reflections, from which Natalie would not recall him.

Arrived in Liverpool, the steamer in which they were to have embarked had sailed; consequently a few more days were added to their sojourn there; but when at length their proud steamer left her pier, accompanied by many heartfelt good wishes that she might be attended with all success, that her voyage might prove most favorable, the Sea-flower wept tears of delight, that she might once more listen to those voices of the deep; and calmly gazing upon the countenance of Mr. Alboni, she said,—­