tuate; and though the mind of her husband, relaxed for a time, had seemed to become insensible to those satisfactions to be derived only from a married life, yet the time approaches when she recovers her ascendancy,—when the tie which unites them is bound together still closer,—and every trial they had mutually experienced serves but to renew their friendship, increase their confidence, and link their souls in that mutual union they hope may never be dissolved."
Rosilia's bosom, at such a picture, swelled and throbbed with a high-fraught sense of delight; while, having spoken from his own experience, a tear to the memory of his departed consort bedewed his cheek.
Mrs. De Brooke asked if he knew the cause which had deprived Douglas of his wife.
"In giving birth to that innocent my dear Rosilia and myself discovered in one of our morning rambles, and which became afterwards so great a favourite with her." The tears of Rosilia bespoke her sensibihty upon the occasion. "Mrs. Melbourne told me," he continued, "his grief, under such an afflicting cause, if not extravagant, was extremely severe; and that if it had not been from consolations and supports far above human aid, she believes he would have sunk under the stroke. By all she says of him, he must have made the best of husbands. Indeed, nothing of the account she gave of him seemed in the least exaggerated; for being permitted
