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64 upon her return rather improved. Throwing herself in the opposite chair, and extending to him her hand, he pressed it warmly between his, and smiling said, "I have good news for you, very good indeed," Mrs. De Brooke brightening lent an attentive ear. "Lord Deloraine has been here during your absence; he came with Douglas, who introduced him; he admired the place extremely; he surveyed the premises, and has already entered into a treaty with me; and I have not a doubt but that I shall ere long dispose of the place, with perfect satisfaction to His Lordship, if not to myself."

Mrs. De Brooke caught from sympathy the ray of hope she saw re-appear over the countenance of her husband; but in reflecting upon the close of the intelligence he had afforded her, she wished to be informed whether Lord Deloraine had entered fully into the terms proposed, to which the General replied, "Had I not been supported by Douglas, I might have had more cause to complain of His Lordship's caution not to outstep the limits he had proposed to himself. I could not help inwardly drawing the comparison of how much the brothers differed, and regretting that the title had not fallen to the lot of Douglas, so much more formed to adorn and grace it." Alas! how might that half-suppressed sigh escaping Rosilia, have