her features expressed a feeling as if of much inward pain; and when he
had concluded, she rose up, and seizing both his hands, said, in a tone
of meek and earnest supplication:

"Oh! William dear, do not, do not--it is not consolation--it is
distress."

"Dear Jane," said the good-natured brother, at once feeling his error,
"pardon me, I was wrong; there is no resemblance in the cases--I only
wanted to raise your spirits."

"True, William, true; I ought to thank you, and I do thank you."

Whilst this little incident took place, Mr. Sinclair came over and sat
beside Charles.

"You see, my dear Charles," said he, "what a heavy task your separation
from that poor girl is likely to prove. Let me beg that you will be as
firm as possible, and sustain her by a cheerful play of spirits, if you
can command them. Do violence to your! own heart for this day for her
sake."

"I will be firm, sir," said Osborne, "if I can: but if I fail--if
I--look at her," he proceeded, in a choking voice, "look at her, and
then ask yourself why I--I should be firm?"

Whilst he spoke, Jane came over, and seating herself between her father
and him, said:

"Papa, you will stay with me and Charles this day, and support us.