The more I knew of the inmates of Moor House, the better I liked them. In a few days I had so far recovered my health that I could sit up all day, and walk out sometimes. I could join with Diana and Mary in all their occupations; verse with them as much as they wished, and aid them when and where they would allow me. There was a reviving pleasure in this intercourse, of a kind now tasted by me for the first time-the pleasure arising from perfect geniality of tastes, ses, and principles.
I liked to read what they liked to read: what they enjoyed, delighted me; what they approved, I reverehey loved their sequestered home. I, too, in the grey, small, antique structure, with its low roof, its latticed casements, its mouldering walls, its avenue of aged firs—all grown aslant uhe stress of mountain winds; its garden, dark with yew and holly—and where no flowers but of the hardiest species would bloom—found a charm both potent and perma. They g to the purple moors behind and around their dwelling—to the hollow vale into which the pebbly bridle-path leading from their gate desded, and which wouween fern- banks first, and then amongst a few of the wildest little pasture- fields that ever bordered a wilderness of heath, ave susteo a flock of grey moorland sheep, with their little mossy-faced lambs:- they g to this se, I say, with a perfethusiasm of attat. I could prehend the feeling, and share both its strength and truth. I saw the fasation of the locality. I felt the secration of its loneliness: my eye feasted oline of swell and sweep—on the wild c unicated te and dell by moss, by heath-bell, by flower-spriurf, by brilliant bra, and mellow granite crag. These details were just to me what they were to them—so many pure and sweet sources of pleasure. The strong blast and the soft breeze; the rough and the hal day; the hours of sunrise and suhe moonlight and the clouded night, developed for me, in these regions, the same attra as for them—wound round my faculties the same spell that entraheirs.
Indoors we agreed equally well. They were both more aplished aer read than I was; but with eagerness I followed ih of knowledge they had trodden before me. I devoured the books they lehen it was full satisfa to discuss with them in the evening what I had perused during the day. Thought fitted thought; opinio opinion: we cided, in short, perfectly.
If in our trio there erior and a leader, it was Diana. Physically, she far excelled me: she was handsome; she was vigorous. In her animal spirits there was an affluence of life aainty of flow, such as excited my wonder, while it baffled my prehension. I could talk a while when the evening enced, but the first gush of vivacity and fluency gone, I was fain to sit on a stool at Diana』s feet, to rest my head on her knee, and listen altero her and Mary, while they souhhly the topi which I had but touched. Diana offered to teach me German. I liked to learn of her: I saw the part of instructress pleased and suited her; that of scholar pleased and suited me no less. Our natures dovetailed: mutual affe—of the stro kind—was the result. They discovered I could draw: their pencils and colour-boxes were immediately at my service. My skill, greater in this one point than theirs, surprised and charmed them. Mary would sit and watch me by the hether: then she would take lessons; and a docile, intelligent, assiduous pupil she made. Thus occupied, and mutually eained, days passed like hours, and weeks like days