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58 that Douglas in the end might be rejected, disdained, and wholly defeated in his plans.

Left to himself, Douglas quickly revolved in his mind all that had passed. He loved Rosilia for herself alone; it was the predominant sentiment of his soul. The voice of discretion, prudence, all was hushed; the possession of a diadem, even of a world, would have been valueless without her. Thus amidst the many defects which obscured his character, a certain magnanimity reigned. The desire of seeing Rosilia, and of having a few moments' conversation with her previous to his leaving the house, impelled him again to enter the saloon, where he was mortified to find only Sir Charles and his son.

From motives of delicacy, Rosilia did not wish to return until she was assured of the departure of Douglas; she feared again to find herself in the presence of him who had caused her so much painful solicitude. When she reflected upon his vehement conduct of that morning, seeming so analogous to that of the preceding evening, a slight suspicion of the real cause floated over her mind. Faint and tremulous, she remained at the open window of the inner drawing-room, her sister and friends around her, when the well-known accents of Douglas in amicable conference with Sir