If there be now on your mind any secret grievance, or any secret wish, speak it, Walter:--you are alone with the friend on earth who loves you best!" Walter was wholly overcome by this address: he pressed his good uncle's hand to his lips, and it was some moments before he mustered self-composure sufficient to reply.
"You have ever, ever been to me all that the kindest parent, the tenderest friend could have been:--believe me, I am not ungrateful.
If of late I have been altered, the cause is not in you.

Let me speak freely: you encourage me to do so.

I am young, my temper is restless; I have a love of enterprise and adventure: is it not natural that I should long to see the world?
This is the cause of my late abstraction of mind.
I have now told you all: it is for you to decide." Lester looked wistfully on his nephew's countenance before he replied-- "It is as I gathered," said he, "from various remarks which you have lately let fall.

I cannot blame your wish to leave us; it is certainly natural: nor can I oppose it.

Go, Walter, when you will!" The young man turned round with a lighted eye and flushed cheek.
"And why, Walter ?" said Lester, interrupting his thanks, "why this surprise?
why this long doubt of my affection?
Could you believe I should refuse a wish that, at your age, I should have expressed myself?
You have wronged me; you might have saved a world of pain to us both by acquainting me with your desire when it was first formed; but, enough.