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154 with a disconsolate eye, he contemplated the ruin threatening his helpless family,—ruin, of which the sole author was himself. Reasoning or reflection, what did they then avail him, but to plunge him into a deeper sorrow, the more difficult to endure, in proportion to his efforts to conceal it from the scrutinizing apprehensions of his affectionate wife? As joys are increased by participation, so griefs are lightened, when they derive not their source from the severe stings of self-reproach. The wounds of De Brooke were hourly sharpened by the desire of deferring the disclosure from his amiable partner, of the entanglement of his affairs. For this, indeed, he hoped she might not be altogether unprepared, more especially, as by her provident advice, he had been induced to order a sale of some articles she deemed superfluous. His creditors becoming daily more clamorous for payment caused him to think seriously upon an expedient, which upon its first admission was rejected with aversion, that of borrowing money. However derogatory to his feelings, it would afford him instant succour: the temptation was great; and as to its being the means hereafter of bringing upon him a deeper involvement, the pressure of his existing necessities was too weighty to allow of his taking a cool survey of calamities