Page:Duty and Inclination. Volume 3.pdf/247

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DUTY AND INCLINATION.
245


Her apprehensions were only dispersed by the early dawn, and rising, as was her custom, to breathe the fresh air of her garden, she a thousand times blamed herself for the unjust alarms she had allowed to conquer her better reason.

About two hours after breakfast the carriage, according to order, was punctually at the door, and the new driver in attendance, with a mien less appalling than on the preceding evening: assisted by his arm, Rosilia sprung joyously into the carriage that was to convey her to Grove Place, where Mrs. Melbourne, the friend of Douglas and the godmother of his child, resided.

After a few hours, ride they reached the habitation of Mrs. Boville, who, with her sister Mrs. Melbourne, received them with the greatest demonstrations of pleasure. The little Rose, immediately upon seeing Rosilia, recognised her friend of the cottage, and, springing to meet her, sought by a thousand playful caresses to show her joy, which was equally participated on the part of Rosilia, endeared to her, even ere she could have formed the faintest supposition to whom she belonged. How doubly engaging—what an attractive spell bound her now that her parentage was no longer hidden—revealed under such touching and interesting circumstances! The tender embrace she was wont to bestow, was now accompanied by a sensation of the heart so deep, so acute, as even to affect her to tears.

Mrs. Melbourne good-humouredly declared "she