'Oh! but, Walter,' said Florence, 'there is something that I wish to say
to you before you go away, and you must call me Florence, if you please,
and not speak like a stranger.'

'Like a stranger!' returned Walter, 'No. I couldn't speak so. I am sure,
at least, I couldn't feel like one.'

'Ay, but that is not enough, and is not what I mean. For, Walter,' added
Florence, bursting into tears, 'he liked you very much, and said before
he died that he was fond of you, and said "Remember Walter!" and if
you'll be a brother to me, Walter, now that he is gone and I have none
on earth, I'll be your sister all my life, and think of you like one
wherever we may be! This is what I wished to say, dear Walter, but I
cannot say it as I would, because my heart is full.'

And in its fulness and its sweet simplicity, she held out both her hands
to him. Walter taking them, stooped down and touched the tearful face
that neither shrunk nor turned away, nor reddened as he did so, but
looked up at him with confidence and truth. In that one moment, every
shadow of doubt or agitation passed away from Walter's soul. It seemed
to him that he responded to her innocent appeal, beside the dead child's
bed: and, in the solemn presence he had seen there, pledged himself to
cherish and protect her very image, in his banishment, with brotherly
regard; to garner up her simple faith, inviolate; and hold himself
degraded if he breathed upon it any thought that was not in her own
breast when she gave it to him.

Susan Nipper, who had bitten both her bonnet strings at once, and
imparted a great deal of private emotion to the skylight, during this
transaction, now changed the subject by inquiring who took milk and who
took sugar; and being enlightened on these points, poured out the tea.
They all four gathered socially about the little table, and took tea
under that young lady's active superintendence; and the presence of
Florence in the back parlour, brightened the Tartar frigate on the wall.

Half an hour ago Walter, for his life, would have hardly called her by
her name. But he could do so now when she entreated him. He could think
of her being there, without a lurking misgiving that it would have been
better if she had not come. He could calmly think how beautiful she was,
how full of promise, what a home some happy man would find in such a
heart one day. He could reflect upon his own place in that heart, with
pride; and with a brave determination