Page:Duty and Inclination 2.pdf/311

Rh forward to the coming of the morning with joyful expectation.

Scarcely had the morning dawned, than Rosilia, awaking from sleep, beheld a cloudless sky—the welcome signal of a day of amusement. Simply arrayed, let us behold her at the water's side—the company assembled—the various barges just in readiness to launch down the smooth and glassy river. Of all the party, Sir Howard alone is missing; the boatmen give the summons—the tide admits not of delay; the gentlemen hand the ladies to their seats; General De Brooke is requested to do the same, but he declines: he feels himself embarrassed; he is a stranger, and depended on Sir Howard for introduction, who does not appear.

Giving an arm to Mrs. De Brooke and his daughter, they turn towards home. The gay group have departed. The boats are floating upon the water,—the splashing of the oars are drowned by the full and lively peal, the concord of harmonious tones resounding from the band of musicians which form the rear; the sun's rays play upon the rippled surface. Rosilia no longer views the jocund scene; like everything else that ever promised pleasure, it has vanished; calm, dejected and silent, she continues with her parents to move towards home.

When on a sudden, driving his curricle in full