I took my aunt in my arms--my
overflowing tenderness was not to be satisfied, now, with anything less
than an embrace. "Oh!" I said to her, fervently, "the indescribable
interest with which you inspire me! Oh! the good I mean to do you, dear,
before we part!" After another word or two of earnest prefatory warning,
I gave her her choice of three precious friends, all plying the work
of mercy from morning to night in her own neighbourhood; all equally
inexhaustible in exhortation; all affectionately ready to exercise their
gifts at a word from me. Alas! the result was far from encouraging. Poor
Lady Verinder looked puzzled and frightened, and met everything I could
say to her with the purely worldly objection that she was not strong
enough to face strangers. I yielded--for the moment only, of course. My
large experience (as Reader and Visitor, under not less, first and
last, than fourteen beloved clerical friends) informed me that this was
another case for preparation by books. I possessed a little library of
works, all suitable to the present emergency, all calculated to arouse,
convince, prepare, enlighten, and fortify my aunt. "You will read, dear,
won't you?" I said, in my most winning way.
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