In another moment Eric had been folded to his father's heart, and locked in the arms of "little brother Vernon." Who shall describe the emotions of those few moments?
they did not seem like earthly moments; they seemed to belong not to time, but to eternity.
The first evening of such a scene is too excited to be happy.

The little party at Fairholm retired early, and Eric was soon fast asleep with his arm round his newfound brother's neck.
Quiet steps entered the little room, and noiselessly the father and mother sat down by the bedside of their children.

Earth could have shown no scene more perfect in its beauty than that which met their eyes.

The pure moonlight flooded the little room, and showed distinctly the forms and countenances of the sleepers, whose soft regular breathing was the only sound that broke the stillness of the July night.

The small shining flower-like faces, with their fair hair--the trustful loving arms folded round each brother's neck--the closed lids and parted lips made an exquisite picture, and one never to be forgotten.