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108 the mutual desire of keeping him, it became customary amongst the dependents, whenever their master chanced to visit his family at his country mansion, to hurry Robert into some remote corner, where he might be secure from observation, nor incur the hazard of being turned out of doors, to wander abroad in an unpitying world.

A few months had passed, when one day the General unexpectedly made his appearance. Nothing could have happened more mal à propos, being just the moment when Robert had entered the usual sitting-room of the family; and, by the desire of his young master, was in the act of attaching a favourite monkey to the leg of a chair, to which Mrs. De Brooke, not wishing to oppose her son in what she considered a harmless diversion, had made no objection. The door suddenly opening, presented the General, erect, dignified and stately: struck with disdain and contempt at the objects which met his eye, he advanced not, but cast an inquisitive and indignant glance at his wife, who was about affording the desired explanation, when, seized with a panic, the black prostrated himself at the feet of the stern object before him, who looked so formidable; embraced his knees, sued, and pleaded for mercy.

Mrs. De Brooke, assuming courage, told her