“Pardon me my child!” he said, “the sight of you brings back the feelings of my youth. At that period I loved and possessed the dearest of women: at that period your mother was a young and lovely creature like yourself; I had friends and kindred: where are they now? all gone down to dust! O it is sad to think that I have outlived them all; that in you and your husband I behold the second generation from myself, and from my cousin of Braganza. Mighty Providence! what an instant is the life of mortal man!” “Tell me, my child, (he added, after a thoughtful pause) are you happy? do you possess in your husband such a friend as your heart devotes itself to with perfect sincerity?” A vivid glow kindled on the cheek of Luisa, her eyes were instantly full of her soul: “I am the happiest of women,” she said ardently, “the whole world contains nothing of what is valuable, great, or endearing, that is not comprised in the character of my Juan. O my father, I am only too happy; and my fond heart trembles sometimes at its own felicity.” Tears glittered in her brilliant eyes, and the love that blushed through every vein of her delicate frame, communicated a sad thrill to those of the aged wanderer. “Gone, gone, for ever gone!” he repeated mournfully; then stopping, added with a divine smile, “not so: in the world to which I hasten Luisa, these sweet emotions will revive again, even for me. Surely our virtuous affections are not destined to perish?” A smile of equal brightness answered this remark. “But tell me, dearest Sir, whither have you been wandering? and how has your old age been supported with those comforts which should follow it everywhere?” “I shall make winter nights seem short,” replied Sebastian! “when I relate to you, all that I have seen and felt. Since the death of her whom no time can efface from this widowed heart, you know that I have lived a life of wandering. I have traversed Europe, Africa, and Asia, on foot, with no other companion than this staff and scrip; no other protection save my grey hairs. My pleasure has been the study of human character under all the accidents of different climates, laws, and customs; my duty has been the task of instructing and enlightening the ignorant or wicked of the countries through which I passed. Gratitude and kindness have rarely failed of recompensing these efforts, and I return therefore in good-will with all my fellow creatures.” “Yet ah! Sir, how could you separate from my dear parents?”