n one of the pauses of their discourse, and when half the night had
worn away, the single gentleman, who had gradually become more and more
silent and thoughtful, turned to his companion and said abruptly:

'Are you a good listener?'

'Like most other men, I suppose,' returned Mr Garland, smiling. 'I can
be, if I am interested; and if not interested, I should still try to
appear so. Why do you ask?'

'I have a short narrative on my lips,' rejoined his friend, 'and will
try you with it. It is very brief.'

Pausing for no reply, he laid his hand on the old gentleman's sleeve,
and proceeded thus:

'There were once two brothers, who loved each other dearly. There was
a disparity in their ages--some twelve years. I am not sure but they
may insensibly have loved each other the better for that reason. Wide
as the interval between them was, however, they became rivals too soon.
The deepest and strongest affection of both their hearts settled upon
one object.

'The youngest--there were reasons for his being sensitive and
watchful--was the first to find this out. I will not tell you what
misery he underwent, what agony of soul he knew, how great his mental
struggle was. He had been a sickly child. His brother, patient and
considerate in the midst of his own high health and strength, had many
and many a day denied himself the sports he loved, to sit beside his
couch, telling him old stories till his pale face lighted up with an
unwonted glow; to carry him in his arms to some green spot, where he
could tend the poor pensive boy as he looked upon the bright summer
day, and saw all nature healthy but himself; to be, in any way, his
fond and faithful nurse. I may not dwell on all he did, to make the
poor, weak creature love him, or my tale would have no end. But when
the time of trial came, the younger brother's heart was full of those
old days. Heaven strengthened it to repay the sacrifices of
inconsiderate youth by one of thoughtful manhood. He left his brother
to be happy. The truth never passed his lips, and he quitted the
country, hoping to die abroad.

'The elder brother married her. She was in Heaven before long, and
left him with an infant daughter.

'If you have seen the picture-gallery of any one old family, you will
remember how the same face and figure--often the fairest and slightest
of them all--come upon you in different generations; and how you trace
the same sweet girl through a long line of p