Sybil had been, as it were, bred up under his eye; an
affection had always subsisted between them, and he knew well
that in former days Sybil had appreciated and admired the
great talents and acquirements of their friend. At one period
he almost suspected that Morley was attached to her. And yet,
from causes which he had never attempted to penetrate,
probably from a combination of unintentional circumstances,
Sybil and Morley had for the last two or three years been
thrown little together, and their intimacy had entirely died
away. To Gerard it seemed that Morley had ever proved his
faithful friend: Morley had originally dissuaded him with
energy against that course which had led to his discomfiture
and punishment; when arrested, his former colleague was his
bail, was his companion and adviser during his trial; had
endeavoured to alleviate his imprisonment; and on his release
had offered to share his means with Gerard, and when these
were refused, he at least supplied Gerard with a roof. And
yet with all this, that abandonment of heart and brain, and
deep sympathy with every domestic thought that characterized
old days, was somehow or other wanting. There was on the part
of Morley still devotion, but there was reserve.
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