to her father," observed Douglas, with an emotion, though unnoticed by Harcourt, he vainly sought to suppress.
"Instead of listening to that cursed hag," burst from Harcourt: "but it may not be too late!" Tumultuous hope engrossed him, and rising with haste, "It may not be too late! a glad idea—an inspiring idea has seized me. I will address a letter to her father, General De Brooke. I will state to him the impression made upon me by his lovely daughter; expose to him the injury done me; state to him that it was the only cause, the only motive which prompted me to continue a profession I was about to relinquish for ever. In short, my pretensions shall be laid candidly before him, and he will find that the fair Rosilia has no ignoble suitor in the impassioned and admiring Harcourt!"
Thus having vented the impetuosity of his feelings, though under scarcely less excitement, he relapsed into meditation; he considered the probable lapse of time that would intervene ere an answer could be obtained; time and distance were taken into his close calculation, as also the probable unsuccessful issue of the measure, involved in duties which he felt it would be then dishonourable to shrink from.
Breaking silence, and with looks disturbed and agitated, "How afflicting is my situation!" exclaimed he; "I have a second time embarked myself in this hateful profession, one wholly foreign to my choice: but since I have engaged in arms, and difficulties and
