"I think so," he answered, quite frankly.
"I am glad to hear you admit that, for now we can understand each other and be good friends, and nothing more," she added, sweetly.
"Yes, good friends always, Mary," he agreed.
He was so happy in his blessed love for Emma Cavendish that he felt kindly toward all the world, and especially toward this "friendless young widow," as he called her.
"But you know, Alden, that it is quite common for young men of earnest souls like yours to take a liking to women older than themselves."
"You are not older than myself, Mary."
"Not in years, perhaps, but oh, ever so much in suffering, and in the bitter knowledge of the world it brings! And thus, for this reason, I was no proper wife for a happy young man like you. No young man should ever marry a widow, and no young girl should ever marry a widower. Our fancied love for each other was a mistake, dear Alden, and I am very glad it was discovered before it was rendered irremediable."
"So am I," replied the young man, quite frankly. "But, dear Mary, I hope you will henceforth look upon me and my dearest Emma as your brother and sister, for we will be truly such in deed as well as in word to you," he added, with grave gentleness.
"I know you will; I feel certain of that. And I thank you from my heart, while I rejoice in your happiness. Yours will be a good, wise and beautiful marriage with Emma, Alden," she murmured, with emotion.
"Yes, I think so too. Thanks be to Heaven!" replied the young man, reverently bowing his head.