more. He had said sufficient to assure her of the justness of his proceedings, and the religious principles by which he had regulated his conduct in this instance. That interview, so dearly wished for on both sides, continued without interruption until Oriana was summoned to attend her aunt.
Mr. and Mrs. Philimore had never remained wholly blind to their son's attachment; and though from the maternal indulgence of the latter she might have given it her sanction, her wish to do so was repeatedly checked by the absolute discountenance it met with from her husband; and this opposition from his father being well known to Philimore, presented a difficulty which rendered secrecy the more important; when therefore, from the increasing wasting of his frame, he felt assured reserve might be dispensed with for the future, he informed his father of every circumstantial detail attending the infancy, rise, and progress of his attachment; when, alas! the past being beyond the power of paternal solicitude to recall, the most bitter regrets accompanied the reflections of the unhappy sire.
