Page:Duty and Inclination 1.pdf/147

Rh him by an address consonant to the warm feelings of De Brooke, whose bosom's throb evinced that his filial affection was far from being extinguished; that still he honoured and revered his parent. He felt seized with a desire to throw off all concealment, to declare his marriage, and the powerful motives which had led him to take so precipitate a step. Scarcely, however, was the idea suggested, than it was suppressed. A secret impulse he could not conquer, exciting an awful dread of his father's displeasure, still closed his lips, and enforced his silence.

The satisfaction of Sir Aubrey upon seeing his son proceeded from a favourite scheme he had been meditating, which had for its object, through the medium of De Brooke, the gratification of his pride; and whatever was presented through that channel, from his notions of prudence, and the inflexibility of his character, was adhered to pertinaciously. The polished grace with which De Brooke had presented himself did not pass from Sir Aubrey's observation without an inward pleasure. His son already held a rank in the army such as young noblemen were emulous of obtaining; and, through his high favour at court, the king had graciously promised that his son, Captain