from tenderness to Rosilia, to whom the unvarying sameness of the country during winter could not but prove irksome.
How differently would they have acted could they have dived into those hearts where iniquity and deceit lay hidden as in a recess, keeping watch for the fruition of their long-meditated and cunningly-devised projects!
Presenting himself, after his arrival from Northumberland, before the De Brookes, Sir Howard was careful not to discover in his manners any appearance of that mortification he had felt on account of his late disappointment; even more facetious and gay than customary, he paid the most flattering attentions to Mrs. De Brooke, and gave to Rosilia the homage of his admiration! Previous to taking his leave, he said he had many visits to pay, and, amongst many other names, mentioned that of Mrs. Belmour, with whom, he added, his acquaintance was of long standing.
"She is," said he, "a next-door neighbour of my friend Melliphant, who it appears has sometimes spoken to her of General and Mrs. De Brooke, and from which, much desiring an introduction, she has begged of me to afford it to her. Fearing that you might not approve," addressing himself to Mrs. De Brooke, "I could not altogether acquiesce with her wishes until I had apprized you of them. She is a woman of fortune," laying emphasis on the word fortune, as if to enforce the recommendation it gave
