small mirror was suspended over the chimney-piece: but what conduced more to elate the mind of De Brooke, was the choice collection of myrtles and geraniums, reared by the hand of his wife, suddenly transplanted from Kennington, and now decorating his window, supported there by a little verandah, tastefully, through the ingenuity of his wife's directions, erected by Robert; whilst two birds, the favourites of his children, were hung in brass-wire cages on either side.
A metamorphosis so magical and attractive entranced De Brooke, and in a species of delusion, peace and serenity smiling around, he forgot he was the inhabitant of a prison, and that his person was enthralled within its ignoble and narrow confines. The reality of things, however, was not long in forcing itself back upon his thoughts; the heavenly affections daily manifested before him opened a more true and permanent source of alleviation. The strength of mind of his wife, her domestic regulations, every plan she formed, however apparently trifling, gave him subject of delightful contemplation. No deficiency was observable; she seemed to rise above and disregard the adventitious circumstances of fate: what might have been termed privation by others, was nobly sustained by her, as witnessed in the course of
