Page:Duty and Inclination 1.pdf/13

Rh, they must be his companions in some humble abode, in some remote obscurity; for it was in virtuous privacy only that he could hope to find a shelter from an ill-judging and calumnious world.

With such ideas he might have been soothed, had his reflections dwelt with less uneasiness on his daughters, Oriana and Rosilia. He could not without extreme pain think of immuring in the depth of solitude those lovely girls, in the blooming season of youth, endowed with accomplishments such as he conceived could not fail to gain them the suffrage and esteem of those circles suited to the elevation of their birth. Into such a sphere it was no longer in his power to introduce them; and on this account it was that General De Brooke so deeply felt the sacrifice his cruel fortunes imposed. For their mother, his faithful partner alike in prosperity as in adversity, she, he was assured, would willingly fly with him even to the earth's remotest corner: her mind, strong yet pliant, could adapt itself to every situation. In all the emergencies of his varied life never had he seen her change; being devoid of that feminine weakness which still clings to the world, reluctant to forego its flattering sweets. He felt persuaded that the courage of his valued wife would still support her,