'Oh Grace, dear Grace,' said Marion, clinging yet more tenderly and
fondly to that breast from which she had been so long exiled, 'if
you were not a happy wife and mother - if I had no little namesake
here - if Alfred, my kind brother, were not your own fond husband -
from whence could I derive the ecstasy I feel to-night! But, as I
left here, so I have returned. My heart has known no other love,
my hand has never been bestowed apart from it. I am still your
maiden sister, unmarried, unbetrothed: your own loving old Marion,
in whose affection you exist alone and have no partner, Grace!'
She understood her now. Her face relaxed: sobs came to her
relief; and falling on her neck, she wept and wept, and fondled her
as if she were a child again.
When they were more composed, they found that the Doctor, and his
sister good Aunt Martha, were standing near at hand, with Alfred.
'This is a weary day for me,' said good Aunt Martha, smiling
through her tears, as she embraced her nieces; 'for I lose my dear
companion in making you all happy; and what can you give me, in
return for my Marion?'
'A converted brother,' said the Doctor.
'That's something, to be sure,' retorted Aunt Martha, 'in such a
farce as - '
'No, pray don't,' said the doctor penitently.
'Well, I won't,' replied Aunt Martha.
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