ter through the air, roving at will
from flower to flower, sipping sweet honey from their cups, or basking in
their sunny petals. If these little creatures knew how great a change
awaited them, no doubt they would regret it; but would not all such
sorrow be misplaced? And if that illustration will not move you, here is
another:--We are children now; we feel as children, and we understand as
children; and when we are told that men and women do not play with toys,
and that our companions will one day weary of the trivial sports and
occupations that interest them and us so deeply now, we cannot help being
saddened at the thoughts of such an alteration, because we cannot
conceive that as we grow up our own minds will become so enlarged and
elevated that we ourselves shall then regard as trifling those objects
and pursuits we now so fondly cherish, and that, though our companions
will no longer join us in those childish pastimes, they will drink with
us at other fountains of delight, and mingle their souls with ours in
higher aims and nobler occupations beyond our present comprehension, but
not less deeply relished or less truly good for that, while yet both we
and they remain essentially the same individuals as before. But,
Gilbert, can you really derive no consolation from the thought that we
may meet together where there is no more pain and sorrow, no more
striving against sin, and struggling of the spirit against the flesh;
where both will behold the same glorious truths, and drink exalted and
supreme felicity from the same fountain of light and goodness--that Being
whom both will worship with the same intensity of holy ardour--and where
pure and happy creatures both will love with the same divine affection?
If you cannot, never write to me!'

'Helen, I can! if faith would never fail.'

'Now, then,' exclaimed she, 'while this hope is strong within us--'

'We will part,' I cried. 'You shall not have the pain of another effort
to dismiss me. I will go at once; but--'

I did not put my request in words: she understood it instinctively, and
this time she yielded too--or rather, there was nothing so deliberate as
requesting or yielding in the matter: there was a sudden impulse that
neither could resist. One moment I stood and looked into her face, the
next I held her to my heart, and we seemed to grow together in a close
embrace from which no physical or mental force could rend us. A
whispered 'God bless you!' and '