CHAPTER XIV.
"Oft bursts my soul beyond the bounds of life."
Young.
Philimore had often heard from General De Brooke of the merits of Frederick Valpée; he had also heard of his frequent visits to the Park, as sanctioned by Mrs. Arden, and even approved of by Oriana. Flattered by the prospect of so eligible a connection in his family, the General had conceived that by openly speaking of it to Philimore, it might give decided discouragement to his hopes respecting his daughter Oriana, if he had formed any, which, from various circumstances, the General strongly suspected to be the case.
In order, however, to assure himself of no prior influence existing over the affections of Oriana, he thought proper to have a private conference with Philimore upon the subject; in which, without ceremony or preface, he asked him in direct terms whether he had not entertained views of an union with his eldest daughter, wishing to be informed of the circumstance with the candour and integrity becoming the character of a gentleman. Taken off his guard by a question so abrupt, yet, at the same
