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168 Mrs. De Brooke, equally with Rosilia, were charmed with her playful endearments. Rosilia's skill at her needle was often exerted in ornamenting her little frocks and caps; and thus beguiled, she did not find the time pass with such monotony as formerly.

Notwithstanding this new resource for the occupation of her mind, she yet deeply felt the absence of her excellent friend, the good Dr. Lovesworth, who was called upon to quit his Hermitage; but more so on account of the melancholy cause which had recently drawn him away. He had received a letter from the father of Philimore of a nature truly distressing, calculated to excite his fears respecting the safety of his young friend. The physicians having pronounced him in imminent danger, Mr. Philimore, the unhappy father, had insinuated how greatly his presence would afford consolation to his son.

Conceiving it, therefore, the last act of friendship he might have it in his power to perform towards that superior young man, and brother minister, the Doctor delayed not to depart immediately for London.