He did not leave me till we had nearly reached the park-gates: he had certainly stepped a little out of his way to accompany me so far, for he now went back and disappeared down Moss Lane, the entrance of which we had passed some time before.

Assuredly I did not regret this circumstance: if sorrow had any place in my heart, it was that he was gone at last--that he was no longer walking by my side, and that that short interval of delightful intercourse was at an end.

He had not breathed a word of love, or dropped one hint of tenderness or affection, and yet I had been supremely happy.

To be near him, to hear him talk as he did talk, and to feel that he thought me worthy to be so spoken to--capable of understanding and duly appreciating such discourse--was enough.
'Yes, Edward Weston, I could indeed be happy in a house full of enemies, if I had but one friend, who truly, deeply, and faithfully loved me; and if that friend were you--though we might be far apart--seldom to hear from each other, still more seldom to meet--though toil, and trouble, and vexation might surround me, still--it would be too much happiness for me to dream of! Yet who can tell,' said I within myself, as I proceeded up the park,--'who can tell what this one month may bring forth?
I have lived nearly three-and-twenty years, and I have suffered much, and tasted little pleasure yet; is it likely my life all through will be so clouded?
Is it not possible that God may hear my prayers, disperse these gloomy shadows, and grant me some beams of heaven's sunshine yet?
Will He entirely deny to me those blessings which are so freely given to others, who neither ask them nor acknowledge them when received?
May I not still hope and trust?
I did hope and trust for a while: but, alas, alas! the time ebbed away: one week followed another, and, excepting one distant glimpse and two transient meetings--during which scarcely anything was said--while I was walking with Miss Matilda, I saw nothing of him: except, of course, at church.
And now, the last Sunday was come, and the last service.

I was often on the point of melting into tears during the sermon--the last I was to hear from him: the best I should hear from anyone, I was well assured.