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254 properly explain himself, has affected Major Douglas with such great severity as to have reduced him nearly to the gates of death. But mercy on me! what ails you, my dear?"

"Nothing! nothing!" replied Rosilia.

"To go on with my story then—he recovered, but no sooner did so than he paid his addresses to a young lady;—my dear Rosilia, you are really not well—how pale you look!"

Rosilia indeed felt faint,—her limbs tottered, and she sunk upon the chair offered by Mrs. Herbert; "repose yourself awhile," said she, "while I call Mrs. De Brooke,"

"No! no! I beg you will not," returned Rosilia, catching hold of her to detain her; "alarm her not, I am well now—quite well; it was a sudden sickness—but 'tis past."

The tones of her voice assumed firmness, and as her colour revived, it was accompanied by an expression from the eye, proudly eloquent; the dignity investing her whole person was such as at once to show the temporary trial was over. While she, alas! had breathed so many vain sighs upon him, he had forgotten her! proving, but too truly, the inconstancy of man! so thought Rosilia.

Determined, however, not to allow herself to be swayed by any sentiment contrary to social