It is, I own, much better as it is; his children will love her more, regarding her in the light of his sister and their aunt, than had she become their stepmother.

But why did you seem so surprised at my prophecy, Nelly?
Was there anything very impossible in their union ?" "Not impossible; but I do not think it likely Miss Harcourt would have betrayed her affection, at the very time when she was endeavouring to soothe her cousin for the loss of a beloved wife.

She was much more likely to conceal it, even more effectually than she had ever done before.

Nor do I think it probable Mr.Seymour, accustomed from his very earliest years to regard her as a sister, could ever succeed in looking on her in any other light." "You seem well skilled in the history of the human heart, my little Ellen," said her uncle, smiling.

"Do you think it then quite impossible for cousins to love ?" Ellen bent lower over her embroidery-frame, for she felt a tell-tale flush was rising to her cheek, and without looking up, replied calmly-- "Miss Harcourt is a proof that such love can and does exist--more often, perhaps, in a woman's heart.