The quiet which breathes around you well becomes your tranquillity within; and sometimes bless me in your devotions, as you have done now.

For me, I shall not regret those harder and harsher qualities which you blame in me, if thereafter their very sternness can afford me an opportunity of protecting your gentleness from evil, or redressing the wrongs from which your nature may be too innocent to preserve you.

And now let us return home in the conviction that we have in our friendship one treasure beyond the reach of fate." Aubrey did not answer; but he kissed my forehead, and I felt his tears upon my cheek.

We rose, and with arms still embracing each other as we walked, bent our steps to the house.
Ah, earth! what hast thou more beautiful than the love of those whose ties are knit by nature, and whose union seems ordained to begin from the very moment of their birth?
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