"Sit down," said John, a few hours after, as Vincent rapped at his
room-door. "I was just wishing for you, although it were cruel to
monopolize you a moment, at such a time as this. Sit down--I want to
confess to you," said John, with a heightened color. "It will make my
heart easier--it will be better for both of us.
"Vincent--you have taken away from me all that has made life dear to me
since I first saw your--since I first saw Rose; and yet"--and John
reached out his hand--"I can look on your happiness and hers, and thank
God for it. It has cost me a struggle--but it is all over now. Peerless
as Rose is--I feel that you are worthy of her."
"I can not find words to say what I would," said Vincent; "by my gain,
my dear friend, I can measure your loss," and he grasped John's hand
with unfeigned emotion. "Rose has spoken of you to me in a way this
morning that, independent of this noble frankness on your part, would
forever have insured you a brother's place in my heart. How can I thank
you for it all? How can I prove to you my gratitude for your kindness
to me and mine?"
"By not leaving us," answered John; "by considering my ample means as
yours, and Rose's, and Charley's; by making my otherwise solitary life
glad, bright, and blessed by your presence; by placing a confidence in
me which you will never have cause to regret," said John, with a flushed
brow.
"I know it--I believe it--I know it--God bless you," said Vincent; "you
can ask nothing that I could refuse. Had it not been for you, I might
never have found my treasures. I will be your guest for a time, until I
have established claims which I must not neglect, for those who are dear
to me--and _then_ our homes shall be one. God bless you, John, my
brother."
Rose glided in! Oh how surpassingly lovely! with those love-brimming
eyes and that sunny smile. Placing her little hand in John's, she said,
"and my brother, too."
"Seal it with a kiss, Rose," said Vincent.
"That I will," exclaimed the happy little wife. "Kiss me, John."
"Me, too," said Charley. "Oh, John, is not _he_ (pointing to Vincent)
all of our papas? Mayn't I run and tell Tommy Fritz?"