Page:Duty and Inclination 2.pdf/21

Rh Brooke whenever the blackened remains of martyrs made by the sanguinary rebels in their struggle for victory met her eyes.

Preferring the social meetings of the Fort to the perpetual round of gaiety at W, no new occurrence intervened to vary the even tranquillity of the seasons, until a period of five years had elapsed since the General first took possession of the district and staff-duties to which he had been appointed.

Another year was yet wanting to complete the term within which, since the favour had been conferred upon him of extending the period of his command, his present appointment was bounded,—a favour doubtless arising from the invariably strict fulfilment of his duty. The circumstance that but one year more was to be passed at the Fort, suggested, in its train of anticipations, futurities to the minds of the De Brookes—the pleasing idea of returning to England, not as they had left it, but in a manner becoming themselves, their rank and condition; conscious meanwhile of the praiseworthy motive, so dear to the fond pride of both parents, that of giving the last finish to the education of their daughters. Alas! these fond expectations, though destined to be realised in part, eventually brought in their train a sad reverse of