French and Oriental Love in a Harem

"Now that we have settled this matter, my dear boy, go ahead! I do not

need, I am sure, to remind you to think occasionally of your old uncle:

I know you well, and that satisfies me. I thank you for what you have

been to me, and bless you from the bottom of my heart!

"Come, don't give way, old fellow: I am in Heaven, my soul is free and

rejoicing in the glories of the Infinite. Is there anything in this for

you to mourn over? Farewell."

After reading this letter, my dear Louis, need I tell you that I did the

contrary to what my poor uncle bade me, and that I gave way to my grief.

The tears streamed down my cheeks, my heart was breaking, and I could no

longer see this last word, "Farewell," as I pressed the letter to my

lips.

Such a mixture of tenderness and elevation of tone, such touching

solicitude to console my grief, such boundless confidence in my love and

fidelity! I felt crushed with my grief, proud only to think that I was

worthy of the generosity with which this noble-hearted man was

overwhelming me, prodigal as a father in his kindness. It seemed to me

at that moment that I had never loved him enough, and the grief at his

loss mingled itself with something like remorse. As if he were able hear

me, I swore to him that I would live for the accomplishment of his

wishes: from the depths of my soul, indeed, I felt certain that he saw

me.

When the flow of my tears had ceased, I did not want to tarry a moment

in the accomplishment of his last behests. I ran to his bed-chamber,

opened his desk, and found the two portraits. One, a valuable miniature,

represents a woman of twenty-five, the other is a photograph of Anna

Campbell at the age of fifteen. Although not so pretty as her mother,

perhaps, she has a charming childlike face; the poor little thing felt

uncomfortable, no doubt, when they made her sit, for her expression is

rather sulky and unnatural. Still she gives promise of being attractive

when she has passed the awkward age. I felt myself suddenly possessed by

a sentiment of affection for this unknown cousin, whose guardian I had

become and whose husband I am to be. Upon this cold picture I repeated

to my uncle the oath to obey his wishes; then, taking up a pen, I wrote

a will appointing Anna Campbell the universal legatee of all the

property which my uncle left us.