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it by his own efforts； he was free to leave it to whom he would： he left it to you。 After all； justice permits you to keep it： you may； with a clear conscience； consider it absolutely your own。”
“With me；” said I； “it is fully as much a matter of feeling as of conscience： I must indulge my feelings； I so seldom have had an opportunity of doing so。 Were you to argue； object； and annoy me for a year； I could not forego the delicious pleasure of which I have caught a glimpse—that of repaying； in part； a mighty obligation； and winning to myself lifelong friends。”
“You think so now；” rejoined St。 John； “because you do not know what it is to possess； nor consequently to enjoy wealth： you cannot form a notion of the importance twenty thousand pounds would give you； of the place it would enable you to take in society； of the prospects it would open to you： you cannot—”
“And you；” I interrupted； “cannot at all imagine the craving I have for fraternal and sisterly love。 I never had a home； I never had brothers or sisters； I must and will have them now： you are not reluctant to admit me and own me； are you？”
“Jane； I will be your brother—my sisters will be your sisters— without stipulating for this sacrifice of your just rights。”
“Brother？ Yes； at the distance of a thousand leagues！ Sisters？ Yes； slaving amongst strangers！ I； wealthy—gorged with gold I never earned and do not merit！ You； penniless！ Famous equality and fraternisation！ Close union！ Intimate attachment！”
“But； Jane； your aspirations after family ties and domestic happiness may be realised otherwise than by the means you contemplate： you may marry。”
“Nonsense； again！ Marry！ I don’t want to marry； and never shall marry。”
“That is saying too much： such hazardou