Page:Duty and Inclination 1.pdf/285

Rh him! the mere suggestion was sufficient to rend his soul. Immoveable he stood contemplating the minute-hand, when sounds of footsteps approaching along the gallery met his ear; he rushed towards the door, and burst it open; 'twas his wife! his beloved Angelina who entered, to cheer and gladden him by her presence. She had been to see her old friends the Philimores, and also her daughters; they were happy, and in the full enjoyment of health; it is true they had been sensibly grieved at the idea of never more beholding their brother, but this was beginning to dissipate, the joy of seeing their mother predominating over their other feelings.

Mrs. De Brooke also recounted that from what she had gathered from Mrs. Herbert, some messenger from his father had inquired at her house. Though unable to give him any satisfactory information, yet upon perceiving the curiosity of her husband, she added to her relation that she could not suppose any hostility was meant; on the contrary, the person addressing himself to Mrs. Herbert, as she said, seemed uncommonly struck by the children, whom Mrs. Herbert, in the exultation she felt upon the occasion, pointed out to him as the grand-daughters of his master; upon which, smiling and bowing, he passed many very warm