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214 her become the companion of his prison's sorrows,—it was soul-harrowing to think of. If his person was in bondage, hers was free: with a mournful, yet passionate energy, therefore, he enforced the necessity of her returning to her lodgings; nothing could be more appropriate than they were to her health and comfort: why seek to leave them, and abandon the infinite resources, the congenial friendship offered her by Mr. and Mrs. Philimore,—why divest herself of such advantages to take up her abode with him, and limit herself to at best two small dismal chambers? "It cannot be, my Angelina; but may a thousand blessings shower upon you for the charitable suggestion!"

"I have come with the determination to stay with you", returned she, in tones of melting pathos; "and judge not of me so ill, as to think I can be so selfish as to admit of all you would say to induce me to leave you."

"It cannot be," rejoined De Brooke; "devoid of every feeling of humanity I should be to suffer it; the extreme youth of our children, demanding as they naturally do the care of a female attendant, to give them your undivided attention,—it is impossible! I could not see you perform the common offices of a nurse, and see withal you and them linger out your days, weeks, perhaps months,