"It is hard on you, Helen," said he, "to separate you from one who has been to you as a brother. Do not hate me for doing so. But I consider myself your guardian, and your home as yet must be mine. We are going from this land of cloud and mist, going as into the world of summer. Well, that does not content you. You weep, my child; you mourn your own friend, but do not forget your father's. I am alone, and often sad, Helen; will you not comfort me? You press my hand, but you must learn to smile on me also. You are born to be the Comforter. Comforters are not egotists; they are always cheerful when they console." The voice of Harley was so sweet, and his words went so home to the child's heart, that she looked up and smiled in his face as he kissed her ingenuous brow. But then she thought of Leonard, and felt so solitary--so bereft--that tears burst forth again. Before these were dried, Leonard himself entered, and obeying an irresistible impulse, she sprang to his arms, and, leaning her head on his shoulder, sobbed out, "I am going from you, brother--do not grieve--do not miss me." Harley was much moved: he folded his arms, and contemplated them both silently--and his own eyes were moist, "This heart," thought he, "will be worth the winning!" He drew aside Leonard, and whispered, "Soothe but encourage and support her. I leave you together; come to me in the garden later." It was nearly an hour before Leonard joined Harley. "She was not weeping when you left her?" asked L'Estrange. "No; she has more fortitude than we might suppose. Heaven knows how that fortitude has supported mine. I have promised to write to her often." Harley took two strides across the lawn, and then, coming back to Leonard, said, "Keep your promise, and write often for the first year. I would then ask you to let the correspondence drop gradually." "Drop!--Ah, my lord!" "Look you, my young friend, I wish to lead this fair mind wholly from the sorrows of the Past. I wish Helen to enter, not abruptly, but step by step, into a new life. You love each other now as do two children--as brother and sister. But later, if encouraged, would the love be the same? And is it not better for both of you, that youth should open upon the world with youth's natural affections free and unforestalled?" "True! and she is so above me," said Leonard, mournfully. "No one is above him who succeeds in your ambition, Leonard. It is not _that_, believe me!" Leonard shook his head. "Perhaps," said Harley, with a smile, "I rather feel that you are above me. For what vantage-ground is so high as youth? Perhaps I may become jealous of you. It is well that she should learn to like one who is to be henceforth her guardian and protector. Yet, how can she like me as she ought, if her heart is to be full of you?"