When I say that I looked upon him something as an elder brother, I mean what I express,--not the sickly affectation with which young girls sometimes strive to hide a deeper feeling,--I remembered his steady school-boy friendship, his sympathy in the dark days of anguish and despair, and more than all, the rose, the sacred rose he had planted at my mother's grave.
I thanked him for this, with a choking voice and a moistened eye.
"Do not thank me," said he; "I had a mother once,--she, too, is gone.
The world may contain for us many friends, but never but one mother, Gabriella.

I was only ten years old when mine was taken from me, but her influence is around me still, a safeguard and a blessing." Words so full of feeling and reverence were more impressive falling from lips usually sparkling with gaiety and wit.

We walked in silence up the gradual ascent, till we came to a fine old elm, branching out by the way-side, and we paused to rest under its boughs.

As we did so, we turned towards the valley we were leaving behind, and beheld it stretching, a magnificent panorama, to the east and the west, the north and the south, wearing every shade of green, from the deep, rich hue of the stately corn to the brighter emerald of the oat fields, and the dazzling verdure of the pasture-land; and over all this glowing landscape the golden glory of approaching sunset hung like a royal canopy, whose purple fringes rested on the distant mountains.
"How beautiful!" I exclaimed with enthusiasm.
"How beautiful!" he echoed with equal fervor.
"You are but mocking my words, Richard,--you are not looking at the enchanting prospect." "Yes, I am,--a very enchanting one." "How foolish!" I cried, for I could not but understand the emphasis of his smiling glance.
"Why am I more foolish in admiring one beautiful prospect than you another, Gabriella?
You solicited my admiration for one charming view, while my eyes were riveted on another.

If we are both sincere, we are equally wise." "But it seems so unnecessary to take the pains to compliment me, when you know me so well, and when I know myself so well too." "I doubt your self-knowledge very much.