the force of an approving judgment in its operations upon her affections, may in the end persuade her to love me."
The illness of Mrs. De Brooke, however, beginning to abate of its malignancy, he saw, with mortification, would not only soon render useless to her the continuance of a nurse, but that his visits as medical attendant would necessarily become less frequent. But why suffer himself to be disconcerted? had he not gathered two very enviable privileges—that of a nearer intimacy with Rosilia, and that of perpetuating his claims to the future notice of her parents? His indefatigable care of his patient, his approved skill, had given so much satisfaction, that he had hitherto not only met with every testimony of regard, but with every assurance of a continuation of friendship,—points surely of no trival moment.
The return of Sir Howard from Northumberland was that, however, which he dwelt upon with the greatest uneasiness. Should he attain the acquisition of a considerable addition to his fortune, as was to be expected, from his uncle's demise, he would, doubtless, become to him the most formidable of rivals. The ambition of the parents to form what they might conceive an eligible match for their daughter, uniting title and fortune, might influence Rosilia, though possessing no share in her heart, to bestow her hand upon Sir Howard. This idea, as forcibly presented to him, seemed the most likely of any to prove inimical to his plans.
