and sister, De Brooke found himself upon the seas, pursuing his voyage to Lisbon.
Introduced immediately into the best houses, caressed by his general, and frequently employed upon active service, time, as it fled, gave him no cause to regret his absence from England. Unsubdued as was his gay, unthinking character, the irregularity of his actions often led him into circumstances and situations the most inconvenient and difficult. Nevertheless, unswayed by any intense or intemperate passion, moments often arose when the heart beat with a more calm pulsation; and the effervescent follies of the youth were dissipated, until some fresh and powerful incitement induced again his prevailing foibles.
During the period of his sojourn at Lisbon, he was made acquainted with several important changes in his family. The first was the marriage of his sister with a gentleman of the law, whose abilities were ever displayed amongst the circles of the great, and was accordingly introduced to the notice of Sir Aubrey. Having, in the career of his labours, amassed an immense revenue, he thought himself entitled to seek, in his matrimonial engagement, a connection which might confer greater splendour on his riches. Thus the daughter of Sir Aubrey De Brooke fixed his attention, even some
