Chapter XXII: Conclusion: "my Beloved Cecilia

"You say in your letter received last evening, that you fear I have forgotten my old friend. Never were you farther from the truth. I love you, Cecilia, for the warm heart which led you to show so much kindness to a stranger, and I love you for the many traits of your own character. I am going to give you a proof of my love and confidence—a proof given as yet to no other. Cecilia, how I wish you were by my side, that I might hide my burning face, blushing at the bare idea of putting a record of my happiness on paper. You asked me once whether I had ever been in love, and laughed at my indignant 'no.' If you were to ask that question now, my answer would be different. Yes, Cecilia, dearest friend, I have found one worthy of my deepest, truest affection. It is not quite twenty-four hours since he confessed that it was his dearest wish to have me for his own. What could I do otherwise than give my consent. Not in words. I absolutely had no power to speak; but he must have inferred it from my silence. Oh, Cecilia, I am so happy. I feel like a poor, fluttering bird who has found safe shelter. Papa and mamma have given their full, hearty consent, though they have not yet recovered from their astonishment, never having a suspicion of our interest in each other. But that was because they were so absorbed in grave subjects of which I will tell you at another time.

"Papa told me that it made his heart sore to think of my leaving home permanently, but that if he were to give me to any one, he could not choose a nobler, more reliable Christian man; and he gave his consent with the full confidence that my friend would be a tender, considerate husband, whose influence would lead me to higher degrees of holiness and happiness. My dear one left this morning, and I feel that he has carried away a large part of myself. I thank God for such a friend, who will be so wise a counsellor, and who will help me to correct my many faults.

"Mamma told me this morning that there seemed to be a conspiracy to get away her daughters. Dr. Rand asked papa, last evening, to allow him to visit here and try to win my sister Marion.

"With tender love, your own—

"EMILY.

"P. S. I have read my letter over, and am almost afraid to send it. To you only could I thus unburden my heart of its happiness. Then you will blame me for not mentioning the name of my 'friend.' Well, dear, I will not give you a half confidence; so, if you wish very much to know, you may ask—your brother Frederic."