which strong feeling naturally dictates. He urged his point with animation: he was listened to With attention; the General pressed his hand with warmth, the tear of parental affection glittered in his eye; he felt inclined to favour him: he paused a moment, he could not proceed, he could not encourage him.
"Douglas", said he, "at present I can scarcely allow myself even to bid you hope; I must consult my child, her future peace and welfare are so greatly concerned in this affair; it is she who must determine your fate: in a day or two perhaps I may be enabled to give you a more decided answer; but," he added, "I thank you, most sincerely thank you, for this frank, this generous disclosure to me."
Douglas, fearing it might militate against his views, had carefully avoided mentioning the order which laid him under the necessity of so shortly rejoining his regiment in India. He spoke of his promotion, on which the General offered his hearty congratulations, and Douglas imagined he had said sufficient to win him over to his interests; he placed however his chief dependence upon the affections of Rosilia, on the indulgence of her parents, and the bright impressions of hope again gladdened his soul. He took a respectful leave of the General, promising to return the following day, in order to receive from Rosilia herself his doom.
