all her intents were holy. But her heart was the throne of love, and the

sensibility her lovely countenance expressed, was the prophet of many

woes, not the less deep and drear, because she would have for ever

concealed them.

These two wondrously endowed beings had been spared from the universal

wreck, to be my companions during the last year of solitude. I had felt,

while they were with me, all their worth. I was conscious that every other

sentiment, regret, or passion had by degrees merged into a yearning,

clinging affection for them. I had not forgotten the sweet partner of my

youth, mother of my children, my adored Idris; but I saw at least a part of

her spirit alive again in her brother; and after, that by Evelyn's death I

had lost what most dearly recalled her to me; I enshrined her memory in

Adrian's form, and endeavoured to confound the two dear ideas. I sound the

depths of my heart, and try in vain to draw thence the expressions that can

typify my love for these remnants of my race. If regret and sorrow came

athwart me, as well it might in our solitary and uncertain state, the clear

tones of Adrian's voice, and his fervent look, dissipated the gloom; or I

was cheered unaware by the mild content and sweet resignation Clara's

cloudless brow and deep blue eyes expressed. They were all to me--the

suns of my benighted soul--repose in my weariness--slumber in my

sleepless woe. Ill, most ill, with disjointed words, bare and weak, have I

expressed the feeling with which I clung to them. I would have wound myself

like ivy inextricably round them, so that the same blow might destroy us. I

would have entered and been a part of them--so that

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The Last Man