Languages & literature > Aurus clavus, or, The adventures of a gold trinket, supposed to have been written by itself

long ?” A long pause of silence succeeded this
burst of congratulation, and both remained
speechless for some time. At length he
broke silence, by exclaiming—“ I have indeed
been long absent, my Marins; but now that
I once more revisit the home of my birth, the dear
spot of all my infant joys, and clasp thee again
to my bosom, my beloved sister, I think there
is more cause for smiles than tears.” Mary
thinking that his expression carried in it
something of reproof, lifted up her eyes, and
gazing in her brother’s face, looked the feelings
which, in this moment of agitation, she was de¬
nied utterance; but Kenneth could not resist a
look of such sorrowful meaning ; and, pressing
her closer to his bosom, dropped a tear upon
her snow-white brow. Although he knew not
the actual cause of her grief, yet feeling his
heart-strings thrill responsive to the sorrows of
so beloved a sister, and apprehending that there
was a cause for sorrow too true indeed, he
endeavoured to comfort her; at the same time
pressing her to unfold the secrets of her bosom :
but he failing to extract from her the cause
of such bitterness of spirit, thought proper
to defer it to a more favourable opportunity.