 he
really wished for my confidence and regard, and really would give me his - why,
it seemed to me that life could offer nothing more or better. In that case, I
was become strong and rich: in a moment I was made substantially happy. To
ascertain the fact, to fix and seal it, I asked -
    »Is monsieur quite serious? Does he really think he needs me, and can take
an interest in me as a sister?«
    »Surely, surely,« said he; »a lonely man like me, who has no sister, must be
but too glad to find in some woman's heart a sister's pure affection.«
    »And dare I rely on monsieur's regard? Dare I speak to him when I am so
inclined?«
    »My little sister must make her own experiments,« said he; »I will give no
promises. She must tease and try her wayward brother till she has drilled him
into what she wishes. After all, he is no inductile material in some hands.«
    While he spoke, the tone of his voice, the light of his now affectionate
eye, gave me such a pleasure as, certainly, I had never felt. I envied no girl
her lover, no bride her bridegroom, no wife her husband; I was content with this
my voluntary, self-offering friend. If he would but prove reliable, and he
looked reliable, what, beyond his friendship, could I ever covet? But, if all
melted like a dream, as once before had happened -?
    »Qu' est-ce donc? What is it?« said he, as this thought threw its weight on
my heart, its shadow on my countenance. I told him; and after a moment's pause,
and a thoughtful smile, he showed me how an equal fear - lest I should weary of
him, a man of moods so difficult and fitful - had haunted his mind for more than
one day, or one month.
    On hearing this, a quiet courage cheered me. I ventured a word of
re-assurance. That word was not only tolerated; its repetition was courted. I
grew quite happy - strangely happy - in making him secure, content, tranquil.
Yesterday, I could not have believed that earth held, or life afforded, moments
like the few I was now passing. Countless times it had been my lot to watch
apprehended sorrow close darkly in; but to see unhoped-for happiness take form,
find place, and grow more real
