'
'Too grave!' said Claude; 'I never heard a laugh so full of glee,
except, perhaps, Phyllis's.'
'The last time he was at home,' continued Lily, 'we began to know him
better; there was no Miss Middleton in the way, and after you and
William were gone, he used to walk with us, and read to us. He read
Guy Mannering to us, and told us the story of Sir Maurice de Mohun;
but the loss was not the same to us as to you elder ones; and then
sorrow was almost lost in admiration, and in pleasure at the terms in
which every one spoke of him. Claude, I have no difficulty in not
wishing it otherwise; he is still my brother, and I would not change
the feeling which the thought of his death gives me--no, not for
himself in life and health.'
'Ah!' sighed Claude, 'you have no cause for self-reproach--no reason
to lament over "wasted hours and love misspent."'
'You will always talk of your old indolence, as if it was a great
crime,' said Lily.
'It was my chief temptation,' said Claude. 'As long as we know we
are out of the path of duty it does not make much difference whether
we have turned to the right hand or to the left.'
'Was it Harry's death that made you look upon it in this light?' said
Lily.
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