Page:Duty and Inclination 2.pdf/303

Rh him—when might he enjoy again the company of her who had been ever ready to sacrifice for him all earthly considerations whatever! Even though the ardour of passion might abate, friendship, gratitude, or recollection of the past, would bind him to her for ever!

Rosilia, in a low voice, intimated to Miss Morris, that the weather having greatly brightened, her mother doubtless was expecting them at home, and they ought to avail themselves of the occasion to depart. Philimore's attentive ear caught the sound, an overpowering sadness seized him, and a cold shivering, of which he was the more sensible, succeeding to that feverish heat before pervading his system.

A servant entered; she had been sent from Portland Place to conduct the sisters home. Philimore would have accompanied them, but felt it would be imprudent to do so; an aching pain throbbed at his temples, a sort of prophetic fear stole over him, something whispered, Thy Oriana leaves thee for ever! He tried to dissipate so gloomy a foreboding, but it still pursued him. He raised her hand to his beating heart, and to his fervent lips, which seemed to seal a last adieu! Oriana also, on her part mournfully impressed, re-echoed his parting tones of sadness; impelled to