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Rh upon himself by irregular hours and the over-indulgences of fashionable life, being still convalescent, for the benefit of living quiet and of breathing purer air than the centre of the town could afford, he had taken lodgings in the vicinity of Portland Place.

Pleased with the ease, suavity, and facetious humour of the Baronet, the General failed not to call at his lodgings, when Sir Howard seizing an occasion remarked, that he had once the honour of an introduction to his daughter—it was at Sir Charles and Lady Valpée's—and should esteem himself happy upon an occasion of renewing it, and, at the same time, of becoming known to his Lady, adding, "I am engaged to-morrow, on a water excursion up the Thames; will you do me, General, the favour of accompanying me? and perhaps—but I can scarcely allow myself to hope that Mrs. and Miss De Brooke will join our party, but if—they—and you can be prevailed upon to favour us, General, your company will be a great acquisition to the party."

Whilst uttering these scattered words, concealing by an outward complacency the strong interest he felt in the Genera's acquiescence, he awaited with impatience his reply.

"My dear Sir Howard," the General said,