CHAPTER XI.
FRATERNAL LOVE.
Nearest of blood should still be next in love; And when I see these happy children playing, While William gathers flowers for Ellen's ringlets, And Ellen dresses flies for William's angle, I scarce can think, that in advancing life, Coldness, unkindness, interest, or suspicion, Will e'er divide that unity so sacred, Which Nature bound at birth.
_Anonymous._ When Mowbray had left his dangerous adviser, in order to steer the course which his agent had indicated, without offering to recommend it, he went to the little parlour which his sister was wont to term her own, and in which she spent great part of her time.

It was fitted up with a sort of fanciful neatness; and in its perfect arrangement and good order, formed a strong contrast to the other apartments of the old and neglected mansion-house.

A number of little articles lay on the work-table, indicating the elegant, and, at the same time, the unsettled turn of the inhabitant's mind.

There were unfinished drawings, blotted music, needlework of various kinds, and many other little female tasks; all undertaken with zeal, and so far prosecuted with art and elegance, but all flung aside before any one of them was completed.
Clara herself sat upon a little low couch by the window, reading, or at least turning over the leaves of a book, in which she seemed to read.
But instantly starting up when she saw her brother, she ran towards him with the most cordial cheerfulness.
"Welcome, welcome, my dear John; this is very kind of you to come to visit your recluse sister.

I have been trying to nail my eyes and my understanding to a stupid book here, because they say too much thought is not quite good for me.