“You cannot love me, Sir!” ejaculated the boy so earnestly that it quite startled his companion.

“Reuben, what can you mean?  Have you forgotten how I have taken you and acted by you as if I had been your Father.  I cannot love you?  What else but love for you has made me do what I have done?”

“That was all your goodness and the kindness of your heart, Sir.  You couldn’t love me when you picked me up in the road.  It was pity and kindness, and it has been the same ever since; not Love—­” and the tears again struggled to his eyes.

Theodore rushed suddenly from the room and into his private apartment, and falling on his knees, spread his hands over his head in prayer.  “My Lord and my God!” cried he solemnly, “what means this echo from my own heart?  Am I awake, or do I dream?” A profound silence was around him; but, as he arose and opened his eyes, he beheld before him, though fading rapidly from his sight, the angelic visions he had seen two years before.

* * * * *

He returned to Reuben, who was sitting at the table, his face buried in his arms.

Theodore laid his hand upon him.  “Reuben, look up!  You are under a great mistake.  You are but a boy, and must not fancy you know the ins and outs of the human heart.  Reuben, I do love you, and have always loved you.”

“You cannot, Sir!”

“Again? and why not?”

“You are too much above me; I am an outcast, and was a beggar.  It wasn’t likely you could love me at any time.  Besides, there has been something since.”

“What?”

“You told me to forget it, Sir, but I cannot.  After all your kindness and goodness, and trying to make me happy and do me every good, I was all along (during the first year), doing what was wrong, deceiving you and injuring you.  I am not only an outcast, but I have been wicked and ungrateful, and made you unhappy by my misconduct.  Indeed I cannot bear to think of it; but I dare not deceive myself about your Love, Sir!  I know you cannot love me; but I am so grateful to you for your goodness, I hope you will not be angry with me for speaking the truth:  only, though I am grateful and try to be contented, I cannot be as happy as if you did love me.”

As Theodore gazed on poor Reuben’s face, he saw standing behind him the beautiful visions once more.

“Now judge by your own heart!” murmured the Spirits, as smiling they disappeared.

And Theodore did so.  Going up to Reuben, he put his arms around him, and wept over him tears of love and gratitude for the blessing which he felt stealing into his own mind.  “Reuben,” cried he, “my child Reuben!  There have been but two human beings in the world on whom I have bestowed my love; for, like you, I lost my parents young.  These two were—­her I lost and yourself!”

“If I thought you loved me, I would die for you!” cried Reuben, springing up and gazing earnestly on Theodore’s face.