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30 diversions might tend only to withdraw them from their studies, so precious, and to which every moment of their time was then dedicated.

Nevertheless, sometimes yielding to the entreaties of Mrs. Blake, she took Oriana, by way of indulging her musical taste, to a concert. On such occasions Mr. and Mrs. Blake seldom failed to be accompanied by their son. He was a young man of prepossessing aspect, and of mild deportment, but reserved, and unbending only to a few; his frequent intercourse with the De Brookes rendered them of the number of those to whom he felt no disinclination to address himself.

Having no desire to dispute the wishes of his parents, he ever suffered himself to be led by their advice, well persuaded that they were always directed in their designs towards the promotion of his future welfare and aggrandizement. Thus co-operating in their plans, his fond parents redoubled their civilities to Mrs. De Brooke, who was far from discerning the interested motives which swayed them, or the object aimed at by the whole family of which the young Blake was heir, viz, that of obtaining for him the hand of Oriana in marriage; overlooking, in the blindness of their ambitious views, the extreme youth of the parties; so desirable in many respects did this alliance