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36 beheld her, by night and by day her image haunting him: but his phrases were hasty and unintelligible, so much did he feel the restraint imposed by the presence of so many around him; and thus, though far from rendering himself comprehensible to Rosilia, who was inclined more to suppose him under the influence of his accustomed gallantry, yet an involuntary agitation took possession of her, which however was soon relieved by the exhilarating effects of the music as it resounded through the apartment, and which reminded Valpée it was time to make choice of a lady with whom to open the ball. Not supposing it necessary to make distinctions of rank, but yielding to the preference he felt, he offered his hand to Oriana, who, flattered by an attention so agreeable, her heart fluttered with delight when led to the top of the apartment.

Douglas then followed with Rosilia; short had been his opportunity of conveying to her the nature of his sentiments, yet he conceived he had said quite sufficient to explain himself; and as it occurred to him that he had not met with the slightest repulse, his sanguine imagination interpreting the smiles which then illumined the countenance of Rosilia into a tacit approbation of his suit, he yielded himself to a train of rapturous