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66 incessantly sought to associate itself in mutual concord and agreement with one whose rays of virtue seemed, alas! but thinly scattered through mists of error.

After Douglas had one day returned from the Villa, agitated with suspense, caused by the continuing reserve of Rosilia, retarding his advances so much beyond the period he had proposed to himself, he entered his room and found a letter upon his table; it contained an order to hold himself in readiness to rejoin his regiment, and embark in the next fleet for India, which was expected to sail within the space of a few weeks. The packet also contained the news of his being promoted to a majority, by the unexpected dissolution of a senior officer. This latter information at any other time would have been most gratifying to him; but from the circumstances then connected with it, he could scarcely bring himself to rejoice. Business of the utmost moment, previous to his leaving England, required his presence in London, whilst his passion for Rosilia still held him captive in the country: and there it was impossible to linger; the hour of embarkation would speedily arrive, which made it necessary to decide, and that without delay, upon the step he should adopt, in a matter involving the future happiness or misery of his existence.