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Rh to favour the proceedings of those whom the unsuspicious and all-confiding General admitted so freely to his house, and whom he believed were strenuously and warmly attached to his family interests. As to Sir Howard he had nearly dropped his visits, and when he came it was but to pass a few ceremonious compliments, and he was off again. It never occurring to the General or Mrs. De Brooke how much his pride and vanity had been wounded; they were inclined to suppose he felt piqued that his attentions to Rosilia had not met with a more favourable return. Having with pleasure beheld the effects of her attractions over his heart, seeing in him no very flagrant errors to condemn, they had flattered themselves with one day greeting her under the title of Lady Sinclair.

"Vainly in the belles of the present day," said Sir Howard once in confidential discourse with the General, "vainly may we look for such a mind; if I could make myself agreeable to your lovely and amiable daughter, and had a fortune of sixty thousand pounds I would lay it at her feet."

Conceiving this eulogy, so unequivocal and flattering to his child, was preparatory only to his more decided proposals, the General on his part unwilling to reject them, had given full encouragement to his visits; while to the designs of Melliphant, so deeply concerted and so gradual in their operation, he remained as well as Mrs. De Brooke effectually blinded.