CHAPTER XXXIII 485
" My uncle John was your uncle John ? You , Diana , and Mary are his sister ' s children , as I am his brother ' s child ?"
" Undeniably ."
" You three , then , are my cousins ; half our blood on each side flows from the same source ?"
" We are cousins ; yes ."
I surveyed him . It seemed I had found a brother : one I could be proud of , -- one I could love ; and two sisters , whose qualities were such , that , when I knew them but as mere strangers , they had inspired me with genuine affection and admiration . The two girls , on whom , kneeling down on the wet ground , and looking through the low , latticed window of Moor House kitchen , I had gazed with so bitter a mixture of interest and despair , were my near kinswomen ; and the young and stately gentleman who had found me almost dying at his threshold was my blood relation . Glorious discovery to a lonely wretch ! This was wealth indeed ! -- wealth to the heart ! -- a mine of pure , genial affections . This was a blessing , bright , vivid , and exhilarating ; -- not like the ponderous gift of gold : rich and welcome enough in its way , but sobering from its weight . I now clapped my hands in sudden joy -- my pulse bounded , my veins thrilled .
" Oh , I am glad ! -- I am glad !" I exclaimed .
St . John smiled . " Did I not say you neglected essential points to pursue trifles ?" he asked . " You were serious when I told you you had got a fortune ; and now , for a matter of no moment , you are excited ."
" What can you mean ? It may be of no moment to you ; you have sisters and don ' t care for a cousin ; but I had nobody ; and now three relations , -- or two , if you don ' t choose to be counted , -- are born into my world full-grown . I say again , I am glad !"