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Rh well: you yourself, God be praised, are well also; delay your going, and it may be too late. Afflicted by this cruel malady, of what use could you be to me or to your children? Leave your suffering boy and myself to the care of our trustworthy Robert; after yourself you could not provide us a better nurse."

"But where go?" ejaculated Mrs. De Brooke in tones of deep distress.

"To your lodgings at Kennington", replied her husband;" or, if they should be occupied, your friend Mrs. Philimore will provide a place of retreat. Fly, my Angelina, fly this melancholy abode; such scenes were never fit for you."

Fearing that he might exhaust himself by too much speaking, Mrs. De Brooke, with a desolated heart, rose, as she told him, to put his wishes into execution; inwardly, however, resolving to comply so far only as her children were concerned; so seizing her pen she wrote to Mrs. Philimore a hasty outline of the misery into which her family was plunged, and concluded with the necessity of immediately placing her little daughters to board under the care of a confidential and respectable person; leaving it to her friendship, and extensive acquaintance with the neighbourhood around her, to make the best arrangement in her power.