Page:Duty and Inclination 1.pdf/180

172 those events the most important in our history, pass over several years of trial and discomfiture, and proceed to that epoch when they had become the parents of three children—in addition to their first-born, little Aubrey, two daughters some years younger.

One afternoon at this period, having experienced during the hour of repast a feeling amounting to suffocation, De Brooke arose from the table unrefreshed; and wishing to fly from himself, but more from her whose unconscious manners and affectionate concern did but act as so many probes and bitter reproaches to his heart, laying his hand upon his hat, he was silently and sorrowfully quitting the room, when Mrs. De Brooke, springing from her seat, caught hold of him, imploring him not to leave her.

"Where", exclaimed she, "where would you go at this unseasonable hour?"

"Business, my dear," he replied, in tones of grief and impatience; "business the most urgent and instant: suffer me to go."

"No, no; not in such a state as this! You are not well; your hand is feverish! What can urge you? nothing but your own agitated fancy. Stay, I conjure you! Yield yourself to my care to-night; to-morrow you may be better. Why