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DUTY AND INCLINATION.
187

I conjure her, by all that is sacred, to exert the courage of which I know she is mistress, to support her under this our cruel separation. The stroke, however severe, I entertain hopes of averting, on satisfying the demands of the most pressing of my creditors; in the meantime you will be so good as to urge, from me, her removal to the small lodgings we before occupied at Kennington, since they cannot fail of affording her, under the present state of our affairs, a suitable asylum." De Brooke paused, but after an interval of ill-concealed emotion, he added, "The vicinity of those quiet lodgings to your abode, Philimore, will bestow upon my wife the more frequent consolations of your own and your amiable partner's friendship; in the assurance of which," continued he, with a deep sigh, "my mind will be lightened of one of its heaviest grievances."

Touched by the sorrowful energy of these words, Mr. Philimore returned in silence the warm pressure of his hand, but soon recovering himself, exclaimed, "Depend upon me; I now hasten to execute your commands, and will try to effect as early as possible your removal from this horrid abode."

Casting a look of concern towards the inner part of the chamber, De Brooke had but time to express