But, one night, when the moon hung over the landscape, edging with sparkling silver the summits of the trees below them, when the air was still and sweet and warm, and filled with the diffused murmurs of the stream, and Joseph and Madeline stood side by side, on the curving shoulder of the knoll, Philip, watching them from the open window, said to himself: "They are swiftly coming to the knowledge of each other; will it take Joseph further from my heart, or bring him nearer? It ought to fill me with perfect joy, yet there is a little sting of pain somewhere. My life had settled down so peacefully into what seemed a permanent form; with Madeline to make a home and brighten it for me, and Joseph to give me the precious intimacy of a man's love, so different from woman's, yet so pure and perfect! They have destroyed my life, although they do not guess it. Well, I must be vicariously happy, warmed in my lonely sphere by the far radiation of their nuptial bliss, seeing a faint reflection of some parts of myself in their children, nay, claiming and making them _mine_ as well, if it is meant that my own blood should not beat in other hearts. But will this be sufficient? No! either sex is incomplete alone, and a man's full life shall be mine! Ah, you unconscious lovers, you simple-souled children, that know not what you are doing, I shall be even with you in the end! The world is a failure, God's wonderful system is imperfect, if there is not now living a noble woman to bless me with her love, strengthen me with her self-sacrifice, purify me with her sweeter and clearer faith! I will wait: but I shall find her!" THE END. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ THE NEW "HOUSEHOLD EDITION" OF Bayard Taylor's Writings: _To be issued in MONTHLY VOLUMES for subscribers to the set, at the low price of $1.50 per volume, neatly bound in cloth._ ------- THE FIRST TWO VOLUMES WILL BE: VIEWS AFOOT; or, Europe Seen with Knapsack and Staff. 12mo. 506 pp. March 20th. ⁂ Of this volume about 40,000 copies have been sold. CENTRAL AFRICA; or, Life and Landscape from Egypt to the Negro Kingdoms of the White Nile. 12mo. pp. 521. The other volumes will follow in due course, viz.: EL DORADO; or, Adventures INDIA, CHINA, AND JAPAN in the Path of Empire. NORTHERN TRAVEL. THE LANDS OF THE SARACEN. BY-WAYS OF EUROPE. GREECE AND RUSSIA. HANNAH THURSTON. HOME AND ABROAD. JOHN GODFREY'S FORTUNES. THE STORY OF KENNETT. ------------------------------------