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68 of his case. This latter suggestion he was inclined to abide by; it accorded with his natural disposition to frankness; but when he considered his deficiency of fortune, he feared to hazard his hopes upon a chance so precarious.

Confused and harassed, he knew not upon what to resolve, for every idea which then occurred seemed only to forebode a failure: notwithstanding, he was impressed with the conviction that the heart of Rosilia was his. Thus in a state of doubt, hope, and alarm, forming and changing his resolution every minute, he was suddenly interrupted by the appearance of the General, from whom he had but so lately parted, and whose looks in consequence expressed some surprise in seeing him return so soon.

The abruptness of the rencontre having dissipated from Douglas the schemes and reasonings he had been forming, his natural ingenuousness also gaining the ascendency, without hesitation he replied to the General's question by entering into a full disclosure of his sentiments. It was in the power of Douglas to be eloquent, even had his heart been less deeply interested; it may therefore be easily conceived he was by no means wanting on an occasion so important to his future happiness, in that glow of expression, that forcible language,