We might have parted friends, at least." "No, by heavens! Gabriella, not friends; we must be something more, or less than friends.

I did not think to say this now, but I can hold it back no longer.

And why should I?
'All my faults perchance thou knowest.' As was the boy, as is the youth, so most likely will be the man.

No! if you love me, Gabriella,--if I may look forward to the day when I shall be to you friend, brother, guardian, lover, all in one,--I shall have such a motive for excellence, such a spring to ambition, that I will show the world the pattern of a man, such as they never saw before." "I wish you had not said this," I answered, averting from his bright and earnest eye my confused and troubled glance.

"We should be so much happier as friends.