Page:Duty and Inclination. Volume 3.pdf/187

Rh pain the time pass by that was to deprive him of her presence. His affections—ever devotional—then seemed to fix themselves more intensely upon the Supreme Ruler of all things; next to which Oriana might hold her empire. At those periods when, as usual, awaiting the summons of her aunt, Philimore invariably placed his watch before him, and whilst tracing its movements, counting every second as it passed, looked alternately upon Oriana; his eyes sunken, yet soft and lustral in their glances, full of interest and affectionate concern for her.

During one of those intervals of indulgence to Philimore, Dr. Lovesworth, in accordance with the accounts he had received from Mr. Philimore, happened to arrive, and to be admitted into the apartment, where in a large elbow chair, pale and emaciated, reclined his loved young friend; Oriana, the amiable and affectionate Oriana, fair, fragile, delicate, seated by his side, a picture of patient grief. Philimore had taken his watch from the table, and held it in his hand: how quickly seemed the minutes to advance over the dial! It wanted but a quarter of an hour of the time when Oriana must leave him, perhaps never more in this world to behold her. No sooner had he made the sorrowful reflection, than the door opening, presented to his confused sight Dr. Lovesworth.

"My revered friend!" was all he could say, extending his thin and almost nerveless hand, which the Doctor took and pressed with ardour; his