CHAPTER XI.
"Love, the desire of Gods! the feast of heaven!
Yet to earth's favor'd offsping not denied!
Ah, let not thankless man the blessing given
Enslave to fame, or sacrifice to pride."
De Brooke was received by Sir Aubrey, if not with cordiality, at least with a demeanour free from his accustomed moroseness.
"I have sent for you," said he, "to congratulate you upon some good news, of which I have been myself but a few hours informed; and which is, that you may expect in a few days to see your name gazetted in the list of Colonels."
Such intelligence, though not altogether unexpected, was not the less agreeable, and could not but be received by De Brooke with suitable demonstrations of joy; and, supposing that his father might have been accessory to this his good fortune, he was about to express his thanks, when, waving his hand, Sir Aubrey hastily returned; "No, no, it is not to me that you are obliged; I know nothing of the business; I have by no means been instrumental to it: your name, I suppose,
