Page:Blind Allan (2).pdf/7

 7 support that did not forsake him in his hours of unaccompanied darkness. His love, which had formerly been joyful in the warmth of youth, and in the near prospect of enjoyment, was now chastened by the sad sense of his unfortunate con- dition, and rendered thereby a deep and devout emotion which had its comfort in its own unwit- nessed privacy and imperishable truth. The tones of his Fanny's voice were with him on his midnght bed, when his affliction was like to over- come his fortitude; and to know that he was still tenderly beloved by that gentle and innocent friend, was a thought that gave light to darkness land suffered sleep to fall balmily on lids that shut up eyes already dark as in profoundest slum- ber. The meek fold of her pitying embrace was with him in the vague uncertainty of his dreams; and often he saw faces in his sleep beaming con- solation upon him, that always assumed at last Fanny's features, and as they grew more distinct, brightened up into a perfect likeness of his own faithful and disinterested maiden. He lay down with her image, because it was in his evening prayers; he rose up with her image, or it camo gliding in upon him, as he knelt down at his bed- side in the warm beams of the unseen morning light.

Allan and Fanny were children of poor par- ents; and when he became blind, they, and in-