Page:Duty and Inclination 2.pdf/217

Rh likeness of her whose every lineament was so deeply engraved upon his memory.

Douglas availed himself frequently of the leisure he possessed, to read such books as he was enabled to draw from his own little stock, as also those of the other passengers, which were chiefly the most approved works amongst the classics, fitted to enlarge the mind and afford it a solid and lasting basis of information; while the poets, and a few beautiful French and German novels, served as a relaxation in his lighter moments.

In such employment passed away the morning, whilst the company of the ladies engaged him in the evening, affording him frequent occasions of conversing with Miss Airey, whose first appearance had burst upon his notice in a light so interesting, and so calculated to fix upon her his deep regard; nevertheless, generally engrossed in other contemplations, and the never-fading recollection of Rosilia, he was far from desirous of disputing or in the least contending with his brother officers, in the preference each seemed so emulous to obtain in the favourable estimation of her who was the only young and unmarried lady of the party.

Meanwhile, the vessel steered its course through of the wide expanse of ocean, and at length the cry