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18 had knowledge of the world enough to be aware, might very differently influence her parents; and dreading nothing so much as a formal rejection by them, he resolved to make Rosilia alone the arbiter of his fate.

The greater part of his leave of absence had already expired; in a few short months the order would be received obliging him to rejoin his regiment: but not as the first did he picture to himself his second voyage; dreams of delight flashed over his elated fancy; Rosilia, his lovely bride, his enchanting companion, to soothe her timid fears when the vessel tossed upon the watery abyss, to feel sensible of her having sacrificed for him every other affection, and relinquished her native land to place upon himself her sole dependence, and look to him alone for protection. Thus was he engaged in tracing the happy future, when his servant entering put a note into his hand, which upon reading he found to contain an invitation from Sir Charles and Lady Valpée to a rural fête they purposed giving at their country seat, in order to celebrate the coming of age of their only son, Frederic. There cannot be a doubt, thought he, that the De Brookes will be there; the intimacy of the families renders it certain: a glow of rapture flushed his cheek, when, seizing his pen, he expressed compliance