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124 dying wish, that when she had attained her seventeenth year, she might give her hand to Nichols. 'Without the protection of a husband,' said she, 'what will become of our dear child? advanced as you are in years, it is probable you will not long survive me.' The reflection was an awful one, and I attended to the injunctions of my dying wife.'

"The remembrance of his departed consort checked his utterance; he then feebly added: 'Thus you may trace the causes which have operated towards the favouring of this match, and no doubt you will approve of the reasons which have long led me to be desirous of putting a finish to all further proceedings, and which I should sooner have done; but, alas! I wanted courage under circumstances so distressing and critical. Providence, all gracious, all merciful, has heard my prayer in guiding you, Captain De Brooke, to my house. Oh, sir, may you be blessed as you deserve to be!'

"Tears chased each other down his furrowed cheeks; with scarcely less emotion I essayed to soothe him.

"'And will Angelina then be mine?' I exclaimed. His answer was by a warm pressure of the hand, whilst his countenance resumed its composure. 'I suspect that young Nichols,' continued he,