There stop, dear fellow, don't cry," said he, raising his hands quietly to Eric's face; "isn't it better for me so?
I own it seemed sad at first to leave this bright world and the sea--yes, even that cruel sea," he continued smiling; "and to leave Roslyn, and Upton, and Monty, and, above all, to leave _you_, Eric, whom I love best in all the world.

Yes, remember I've no home, Eric, and no prospects.

There was nothing to be sorry for in this, so long as God gave me health and strength; but health went for ever into those waves at the Stack, where you saved my life, dear, gallant Eric; and what could I do now?
It doesn't look so happy to _halt_ through life.

Oh Eric, Eric, I am young, but I am dying--dying, Eric," he said solemnly, "my brother; let me call you brother; I have no near relations, you know, to fill up the love in my yearning heart, but I _do_ love _you_.

Kiss me, Eric, as though I were a child, and you a child.