Our meeting, therefore, could not be without overflowing tenderness and gloomy joy.

He rather encouraged than restrained the tears that I poured out in his arms, and took upon himself the task of comforter.

Allusions to recent disasters could not be long omitted.

One topic facilitated the admission of another.

At length, I mentioned and deplored the ignorance in which I had been kept respecting my brother's destiny, and the circumstances of our misfortunes.