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The Young Step-Mother by Charlotte Mary Yonge
page 96 of 827 (11%)
could know, while he had his brother to guide and shield him. The
first time I noticed the evil was when we were recovering. Gilbert
and Sophia were left together, and in one of their quarrels injured some
papers of mine. I was very weak, and had little power of self-control;
I believe I terrified him too much. There was absolute falsehood,
and the truth was only known by Sophia's coming forward and confessing
the whole. It was ill managed. I was not equal to dealing with him,
and whether the mischief began then or earlier, it has gone on ever
since, breaking out every now and then. I had hoped that with your
care--But oh! how different it would have been with his brother!
Albinia, what would I not give that you had but seen _him!_ Not a
fault was there; not a moment's grief did he give us, till--O
what an overthrow of hope!' And he gave way to an excess of grief
that quite appalled her, and made her feel herself powerless to comfort.
She only ventured a few words of peace and hope; but the contrast
between the brothers, was just then keen agony, and he could not help
exclaiming how strange it was, that Edmund should be the one to be taken.

'Nay,' he said, 'was not he ripe for better things? May not poor
Gilbert have been spared that longer life may train him to be like
his brother?'

'He never will be like him,' cried Mr. Kendal. 'No! no! The
difference is evident in the very countenance and features.'

'Was he like you?'

'They said so, but you could not gather an idea of him from me,' said
Mr. Kendal, smiling mournfully, as he met her gaze. 'It was the most
beautiful countenance I ever saw, full of life and joy; and there
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