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Article BROTHERLY LOVE. ← Page 4 of 9 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Brotherly Love.
where only the beautiful was visible , and which looked alike lovely in the spring , summer , or autumn , budding into vegetable life , or growing sear in the dying summer , she would almost fancy that Simon was by her side , and gazing with her in mute communion on the landscape . She was almost tempted to turn aside to look in his countenance ; she expected to feel the pressure of his hand , that told of his presence without disturbing
her contemplation . Then she woidd fancy that his form emerged from the trees , wearing that look of love and sensibility which divested his features of all repulsive expression . But most of her time was spent in a little cemetery , situated in a secluded dell near a Protestant chapel in the suburbs . This had been a favourite resort with them both in the heat of
summer , for it afforded a shelter , and here they were accustomed to musewith pensiveness , but not sadly , on the newly-raised turf or some little touching inscription on the sculpture , where the hand of affection or piety had sought to record some amiable characteristic of the departed . And as fancy grew vivid she would almost imagine that she beheld the features of her lover in the mute effigies that mourned in marble over the mouldering
remains of mortality . In a mind of less strength than Ida ' s , or with less piety than she possessed , these valedictory visits might have produced a morbid state of mind , but it had a contrary effect with her , for it rendered her more sedulous in the discharge of her duties , as if to make atonement , for the temporary estrangement of her thoughts from the present . An event occurred that , for the time , effectually banished all thoughtsrelative to herself . This was the arrival of Alfred Beaufrere in a state
that left no doubt as to his approaching dissolution . His wounds were fatal , and the fatigue he had undergone in gratifying his desire of dying under the same roof with Ida , hastened the advent of his last moments , The avowal he had made could scarcely have failed to render this a trying moment for Ida ; but the tenderness and affection with which she had always regarded him required no additional stimulus to her sorrow .
Mrs . St . Claire had little strength of mind either for joy or grief , and as the one- elated her unduly so the other depressed her to an extent that prostrated all her energies . She was so affected by the state of her nephew that she could render Ida no active assistance , so that all the duty of attending him devolved on the latter ; and to discharge this effectually
she devoted all her thought and time . She listened to every word that escaped his lips , and watched his every look as if to discover any wish that he might form , which , when it was ascertained , was promptly gratified . His draughts were administered by her hand , she would allow none but herself to smooth or raise his pillow , or perform those attentions which the sick require , and which are doubly grateful when proceeding
from those who are dear . She never left him during the day , and it was only when exhausted nature demanded repose that she cordd be induced to quit his side . And even during the time allotted to sleep , she would frequently awake and visit his chamber to see if the nurse , to whose cave he was temporarily intrusted , attended to him properly . The look of gratitude , the faint pressure of his hand , told how sensible and thankful Alfred was for her unremitting assiduity .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Brotherly Love.
where only the beautiful was visible , and which looked alike lovely in the spring , summer , or autumn , budding into vegetable life , or growing sear in the dying summer , she would almost fancy that Simon was by her side , and gazing with her in mute communion on the landscape . She was almost tempted to turn aside to look in his countenance ; she expected to feel the pressure of his hand , that told of his presence without disturbing
her contemplation . Then she woidd fancy that his form emerged from the trees , wearing that look of love and sensibility which divested his features of all repulsive expression . But most of her time was spent in a little cemetery , situated in a secluded dell near a Protestant chapel in the suburbs . This had been a favourite resort with them both in the heat of
summer , for it afforded a shelter , and here they were accustomed to musewith pensiveness , but not sadly , on the newly-raised turf or some little touching inscription on the sculpture , where the hand of affection or piety had sought to record some amiable characteristic of the departed . And as fancy grew vivid she would almost imagine that she beheld the features of her lover in the mute effigies that mourned in marble over the mouldering
remains of mortality . In a mind of less strength than Ida ' s , or with less piety than she possessed , these valedictory visits might have produced a morbid state of mind , but it had a contrary effect with her , for it rendered her more sedulous in the discharge of her duties , as if to make atonement , for the temporary estrangement of her thoughts from the present . An event occurred that , for the time , effectually banished all thoughtsrelative to herself . This was the arrival of Alfred Beaufrere in a state
that left no doubt as to his approaching dissolution . His wounds were fatal , and the fatigue he had undergone in gratifying his desire of dying under the same roof with Ida , hastened the advent of his last moments , The avowal he had made could scarcely have failed to render this a trying moment for Ida ; but the tenderness and affection with which she had always regarded him required no additional stimulus to her sorrow .
Mrs . St . Claire had little strength of mind either for joy or grief , and as the one- elated her unduly so the other depressed her to an extent that prostrated all her energies . She was so affected by the state of her nephew that she could render Ida no active assistance , so that all the duty of attending him devolved on the latter ; and to discharge this effectually
she devoted all her thought and time . She listened to every word that escaped his lips , and watched his every look as if to discover any wish that he might form , which , when it was ascertained , was promptly gratified . His draughts were administered by her hand , she would allow none but herself to smooth or raise his pillow , or perform those attentions which the sick require , and which are doubly grateful when proceeding
from those who are dear . She never left him during the day , and it was only when exhausted nature demanded repose that she cordd be induced to quit his side . And even during the time allotted to sleep , she would frequently awake and visit his chamber to see if the nurse , to whose cave he was temporarily intrusted , attended to him properly . The look of gratitude , the faint pressure of his hand , told how sensible and thankful Alfred was for her unremitting assiduity .