Page:Duty and Inclination. Volume 3.pdf/94

92 villainous designs he had formed against her. His curricle, at the hour appointed, appearing at the door, he jumped into it and drove at once to the De Brookes.

Mrs. Philimore had just departed; she had called for the purpose of giving to Mrs. De Brooke some friendly advice and warning relative to Sir Howard, who, report said, was paying his addresses to her youngest daughter. Not finding her at home however, she delicately hinted the circumstance to Rosilia, asking her if Sir Howard Sinclair did not call very often.

"Not so often as formerly," replied Rosilia.

"He has been particular in his attention to you, has he not?"

"Nothing more than is common with men of gallantry, I beheve," answered she with a smile.

"I am inclined to think otherwise," returned Mrs. Philimore; "his partiality for you, my dear young friend, is very evident: but let me assure you, from good authority, his character is doubtful; his whole conduct involves ambiguity, of which being aware, you will be enabled to judge and decide for yourself."

Scarcely had she left the door than Sir Howard alighted.

He was one of those professed men of pleasure who, in his general intercourse with the world and fashionable life, did not even think it necessary to save appearances, openly boasting of his midnight