Such wisdom will come soon enough, I dare say, if it is to come at all.

I will assume that a few years hence you will be in your hearts to one another what you are to-day.

All I say before speaking to you according to that assumption is, if you DO change--if you DO come to find that you are more commonplace cousins to each other as man and woman than you were as boy and girl (your manhood will excuse me, Rick!)--don't be ashamed still to confide in me, for there will be nothing monstrous or uncommon in it.

I am only your friend and distant kinsman.

I have no power over you whatever.