ave been few, and my
fortune have not been bright, yet happiness has largely preponderated
even in _my_ destiny, and I look on the death which is approaching as
the commencement, not as the end, of true existence.

"But I did not write to you, dear Julian, to tell you of the frame of
mind in which death finds me. I wrote to bid you farewell, and to
tell you of something which concerns you--I mean my intention,
recently adopted, of leaving you my small private fortune, and the
added earnings which my labours have procured. Together, they amount
only to ten thousand pounds, but I hope that they may be of real
service to you. Had you still been the heir to your aunt's property,
perhaps even if you had got the Clerkland, I should have disposed of
this money in some other way; but as these events have been ordered
otherwise, and as I have no relations of my own who need the legacy,
nor any friend in whose welfare I take deeper interest than in yours,
it gives me a gleam of real satisfaction to be able to place at your
disposal this little sum.

"Good-bye, my dear Julian. When these words meet your eye, I expect
to be in that state where even your prayers can benefit me no more.
But I know your affectionate and grateful heart, and I know that you
will sometimes recur with a thought of kindness to the memory of your
affectionate friend, Henry Carden."

The next mail brought the news of Mr Carden's death. It caused many a
sorrowing heart both at Harton and at Camford. Mr Carden was a man
whose impetuous and enthusiastic disposition had caused him to commit
many serious errors in life, and these had been a barrier to the success
which must otherwise have rewarded his energy and talent. But even
among those who were envious of his ability, and offended by his
eccentricities, they were few who did not do justice to the rectitude of
his motives, and none who did not admit the warmth of his affections.
There were more to mourn over his untimely death than there had been to
forgive the mistakes he made, and by wise and friendly counsel to raise
him to that height which he might easily have obtained. And among the
crowd who had known him, and the many who honoured him, there were some
who loved him with no ordinary love, and who were not too proud to admit
the obligation of a permanent gratitude. It was one of the great
happinesses of Mr Carden's life that of this number was Julian