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288 the affection of a brother. How unlike my own feverish, untranquil, and fearful fondness for him! yet how kind he always was! how tender in his even feminine care of me! Hour after hour has he turned from all study, all employment, all amusement, to watch and soothe my sick fancies. I could not help being happy in his presence; and yet his absence has often been a relief. I have wept with painful gratitude over the favourite flowers that, every morning, he would allow no one to gather for me but himself. Still there lacked that sympathy which taught me to read his thoughts without a word. Nothing but love can answer to love; no affection, no kindness, no care, can supply its place: it is its own sweet want. Do you remember my fainting at Marble Villa? A sudden and dreadful jealousy of Lady Marchmont entered my mind. God only can forgive me for all I then thought! for God only can know the agony of my suffering. A moment's frantic misery led to an explanation