but as such an attraction would inevitably fade, some other object would proportionably rise in his estimation."
"It is well argued, my child," said the General, who, still inclining to be jocose, continued; "but what could the poor fellow do, when he found a pair of fine eyes in his pocket, but pursue the fair object who had so generously bestowed them."
The General was aware that a Colonel Harcourt resided in the neighbourhood, a man distinguished for his manners, birth, and fortune. It was from such pretensions he conceived that he had been led to take a step so bold and extraordinary.
Mrs. Herbert felt for Rosilia an affection nearly amounting to the maternal; next to her Edward, there was no object more tenderly beloved by her. Far from being disinterested, however, her wishes for the happiness of Rosilia tended only as connected with her long cherished and favourite scheme; often anticipating the comfort it would afford her declining years, to spend them with her son, united to such a woman as Rosilia: those dear children would be the prop of her widowhood! Such an idea, from the frequency of its recurrence, had become too familiar to be relinquished. Her son might soon return from abroad; he might
