he gave to Mrs.De Brooke the most sanguine hopes, and, through the persevering and humane skill of Dr. Beckford, he at length arose from the bed of languishing.
It would be unnecessary to paint, in his progress towards recovery, those many afflicting scenes, deprivations, and anxieties which the sorrowing parents mutually partook of and witnessed.
Alas! the keenest arrow of adversity that ever pierced their united souls now seemed pointed against them; for while himself so nearly snatched, as if by miracle, from the verge of death, the rising thankfulness diffused over the mind of De Brooke for that providential blessing had been checked ere it had time to expand into the higher emotions of gratitude. For alas! his trials and probation had not yet ceased, and he was to endure, in common with his afflicted partner, the irreparable loss of his beloved boy.
Seated together in heartbroken anticipation of what they most dreaded: "Alas!" sighed the father, "how fruitless are the hopes of man!" his eyes riveted upon that once sweet animated countenance, then overshadowed by the pale complexion of death. In melancholy suspense they awaited the coming of the physician, under the impression
