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202 silent surprise, dwelt upon the determined negative he had received from Philimore in answer to the questions he had put to him on the subject of his apparent attachment to his daughter, now so fully revealed by Dr. Lovesworth, but upon which, from motives of deep concern and delicacy to the memory of the deceased, the General passed slightly over, bearing in mind the maxim of treading lightly on the ashes of the dead; he confined himself to the observation, that it was what he had long suspected, but feared to countenance; that had he possessed a fortune to have bestowed on Oriana, Philimore was the man to whom he would have rejoiced to have given her; even as it was, he expressed much regret that he had not been timely acquainted with their mutual attachment and desire of union; which, far from opposing, he might have been led, upon finding that the young people had set their hearts upon each other, to have promoted.

"But, my good Doctor," added this kind father, "we must refer all things to Omnipotent agency, as you would teach us the decrees of Providence are just. Had my daughter espoused this deserving object of her choice, she might, in having been left an early widow, had more bitter anguish to surmount than that with which she is tried at the present moment."

"It was chiefly on account of his father," replied the Doctor, addressing the General, "that Philimore persevered in so rigidly keeping the secret of his