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78 itself with the light and airy form of the young Rosilia, his grandchild, whom, with a condescending aspect, taking by the hand, he bent to salute. Then raising himself, he stood, as a tower, exalted in mute grandeur; whilst she seemed budding at its base a humble snowdrop: and as the dewy morn bathes its pure white petals, so, her soft head reclining, the lucid tear bedewed her spotless bosom. Or, viewed in a light still more interesting, she might have appeared as a harbinger sent from Heaven, for the purpose of chasing away discordant feelings, and pleading forgiveness for her parents as a benediction upon herself!

Cold, indeed, stern and obdurate must have been the heart that could resist an appeal so touching, beautiful, and eloquent as this; and yet Sir Aubrey, a courtier and a man of the world, unaccustomed to indulge in the soft luxury of the tender emotions, felt but half their force.

Charmed as was De Brooke at the outward effects of his Rosilia's sensibility, yet at the same time pained at the situation of his child, conscious that she attracted all eyes upon her, and fearful also of the misinterpretation of affectation or weakness given to it by her ladyship, he looked at his sister, who, comprehending his wishes, lent