to
a Saviour's illimitable love. Oh! it is sinful to set bounds to God's
immeasurable mercy. Let us go together, my brother. My mother's dream
may yet be realized. Who knows but our weak, filial hands, may lift our
unhappy father from the black abyss of sin and impenitence, Almighty God
assisting us? If heavenly blessings are promised to him who turns a soul
from the error of his ways, think, Richard, how divine the joy, if it be
an erring parent's soul, thus reclaimed and brought home to God? Let us
go, as soon as we have strength to commence the journey. I cannot remain
here, where every thing reminds me of my blighted hopes and ruined
happiness. It seems so like a grave, Richard."

"I wonder you do not hate. I wonder you do not curse me," exclaimed he,
with sudden vehemence, "for it is my rashness that has wrought this
desolation. Dearly have you purchased a most unworthy brother. Would I
had never claimed you, Gabriella; never rolled down such a dark cloud on
your heart and home."

"Say not so, my beloved brother. The cloud was on my heart already, and
you have scarcely made it darker or more chilling. I feel as if I had
been living amid the thunderstorms of tropic regions, where even in
sunshine electric fires are flashing. Before this shock came, my soul
was sick and weary of the conflicts of wild and warring passions. Oh!
you know not how often I have sighed for a brother's heart to lean upon,
even when wedded joys were brightest,--how much more must I prize the
blessing now! Surely never brother and sister had more to bind them to
each other, than you and I, Richard. Suffering and sorrow, life's
holiest sacraments, have hallowed and strengthened the ties of nature."

It was not long before we were able to ride abroad with Mrs. Linwood and
Edith, and it was astonishing how rapidly we advanced in restoration to
health. I could perceive that we were objects of intense interest and
curiosity, from the keen and eager glances that greeted us on every
side; for the fearful tragedy of which I had been the heroine, had cast
a shadow over the town and its surroundings. Its rumor had swept beyond
the blue hills, and Grandison Place was looked upon as the theatre of a
dark and bloody drama. This was all natural. Seldom is the history of
every-day life marked by events as romantic and thrilling as those
compressed in my brief experience of eighteen years. And of all the
deep, vehement passions, whose exhibition excites the