I think you have been now some years nerving your mind to the exertion." "Listen to me, Morton," said Aubrey, suppressing his emotion; "you have always been my favourite brother.

From our first childhood my heart yearned to you.

Do you remember the time when an enraged bull pursued me, and you, then only ten years old, placed yourself before it and defended me at the risk of your own life?
Do you think I could ever forget that,--child as I was ?--never, Morton, never!" Before I could answer the door was thrown open, and the Abbe entered.
"Children," said he, and the single light of the room shone full upon his unmoved, rigid, commanding features--"children, be as Heaven intended you,--friends and brothers.

Morton, I have wronged you, I own it; here is my hand: Aubrey, let all but early love, and the present promise of excellence which your brother displays, be forgotten." With these words the priest joined our hands.

I looked on my brother, and my heart melted.