g； endure all the forms of love （which I doubt not he would scrupulously observe） and know that the spirit was quite absent？ Can I bear the consciousness that every endearment he bestows is a sacrifice made on principle？ No： such a martyrdom would be monstrous。 I will never undergo it。 As his sister； I might acpany him—not as his wife： I will tell him so。”
I looked towards the knoll： there he lay； still as a prostrate column； his face turned to me： his eye beaming watchful and keen。 He started to his feet and approached me。
“I am ready to go to India； if I may go free。”
“Your ansentary；” he said； “it is not clear。”
“You have hitherto been my adopted brother—I； your adopted sister： let us continue as such： you and I had better not marry。”
He shook his head。 “Adopted fraternity will not do in this case。 If you were my real sister it would be different： I should take you； and seek no wife。 But as it is； either our union must be consecrated and sealed by marriage； or it cannot exist： practical obstacles oppose themselves to any other plan。 Do you not see it； Jane？ Consider a moment—your strong sense will guide you。”
I did consider； and still my sense； such as it was； directed me only to the fact that we did not love each other as man and wife should： and therefore it inferred we ought not to marry。 I said so。 “St。 John；” I returned； “I regard you as a brother—you； me as a sister： so let us continue。”
“We cannot—we cannot；” he answered； with short； sharp determination： “it would not do。 You have said you will go with me to India： remember—you have said that。”
“Conditionally。”
“Well—well。 To the main point—the departure with me from England； the co…operation with me in my future labours—you do not object。 You have