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118 Mrs. De Brooke having at this period entered, Melliphant made his bow, and hastened to rejoin Sir Howard, who remained below, and who having renounced for ever his pretensions to Rosilia in favour of Melliphant, was determined, if possible, never again to tempt himself, and his pledged faith, by a sight of her, for fear of being induced to revoke it; and since there was no further possibility of procuring to himself the prize he had so long kept in view, it but little concerned him into whose hands she might then fall.

The passion of revenge had long predominated over him; aiming at her destruction, since he was no longer able to obtain her for himself, why should he withhold his assistance to precipitate her into the arms of Melliphant? If revenge was sweet, how could it meet its gratification better, than by plunging her into the power of the dark, designing, hypocritical Melliphant! He to whom he owed so much,—to whom he was so much indebted,—how could he otherwise repay the infinite obligations he had laid him under, by his restoration of the property he had lost to him at play!

"Well," said he, to Melliphant, upon his rejoining him, "have you succeeded to your wishes?"

"By no means," replied the other; "the letter still remains in my pocket. That cursed parson was there, with his sanctified priestly countenance; his dark searching eye, was scarcely once removed from me."