“Thousands!”
“Tell me some?”
“Not now—besides, I must ask leave.”
“Does he ever tell you anything about yourself?”
“A great deal—it is our principal topic of conversation;
but he always begins it, lest my modesty should prevent any intercourse on the subject.”
“What has he said?”
“A great deal: he has inspired me with hope, even instilled into me some ambition: he has tried to impart to me an admiration of all that is true, and to awaken a detestation of all that is mean and pettifogging. I never look at him but I see the symbol of all that is noble, grand and brave: he is the emblem of stability, friendship and affection; a monument of courage, honesty, and fidelity; he is the type of manly independence and self-reliance. I am glad, therefore, that under his beautiful branches, and within his protecting presence, two young hearts have again met and pledged, as I believe they have, their troth, honestly resolving to battle together against the storms of life, rooted in stedfast love, and rejoicing in the sunshine of the Creator’s smiles!”
After these observations, which were received with marked approval, I again gave myself up to the soft influence of a dreamy repose.