Page:Duty and Inclination 2.pdf/214

212 times, dignified the man, then acquired their first strength, their first activity.

When sufficiently recovered to go on deck, Douglas felt very desirous to behold the fair object who had presented herself to him in his cabin; and, in consequence, seeing a party of ladies assembled together, he looked anxiously towards them, hesitating whether to advance, when Colonel Melbourne, giving him the support of his arm, led him directly amidst the pleasing circle, in order to introduce him to his lady, who, after the usual compliments, and a few words of congratulation on his improved health, presented him to her young protégée, Miss Airey, seated beside her.

Sensible of the discovery he had made, so agreeable and gratifying to the curiosity which had impelled his approach, Douglas involuntarily fixed upon Miss Airey a look of apparent recognition. Could it be her? she who, he was informed, had so frequently watched by his side, during the most alarming stages of his insensibility and fever? The heightened colouring of her cheek, the tender but confused glances which ere averted met his penetrating eyes, the soft sighs which escaped her were so eloquently descriptive of her feelings, that he could no longer doubt but that Miss Airey