wife appeared, she never failed to excite attention.
Scarcely had two years revolved, when they found themselves the parents of a lovely boy. This little being was welcomed into the world by the most lively feelings of mutual tenderness. It is from the indulgence of such sweet affections that the conjugal tie draws its source of increasing joys. But, alas!, how short was to be this reign of happiness! Hitherto they had but to experience some passing regrets, occasioned by the total exclusion of Mrs. De Brooke from the least intimacy with the family of her husband.
Retracting his former determination, De Brooke sometimes called at his father's door, under the hope that by so doing a reconciliation might be effected: it was seldom, however, that he gained admittance; and when he did so, it was to be ushered into the sitting-room of Lady De Brooke, whose outwardly formal and affected civilities held but a too faithful mirror to his view of his father's preponderating coldness; and from which he could also discover how little he had to expect from any conciliating influence exerted in his behalf by her ladyship.
Not very different was the tone of feeling, if such it might be called, with which he was greeted
