Page:Duty and Inclination 2.pdf/205

Rh former intimate companion of her deceased mother; from which cause, united to the sympathy her forlorn situation inspired, the daughter shared in her regard. Mrs. Melbourne was the wife of the Lieutenant-Colonel, then in command of the regiment on its passage to the East Indies, and to which Douglas had been recently appointed Major.

Fond of change and novelty, and rather than be deprived of that gaiety of life induced by associating with the military, and devoting herself to a less animated circle at home, Mrs. Melbourne had preferred accompanying her husband abroad; an occurrence of which she readily availed herself to select for her companion on the voyage the young Ellina, who, by so favourable an occasion, she conconceived might form for herself in India a matrimonial settlement, which might raise her from that adverse destiny which had hitherto attended her. If, from her partiality to the world and its pleasures, Mrs. Melbourne might be accused of thoughtlessness, her benevolence and generosity might secure to her respect and esteem,—as witnessed in the humane attentions bestowed on the interesting orphan, whom she considered in a manner committed to her charge.

The fever affecting the unfortunate Douglas,