or wholly to exculpate, humanity and congenial affection prompted De Brooke to pardon an act of erring virtue.
In fact so little had the Baronet to dread his resentment, that it may be questioned whether his appearance in person would at that moment have been disagreeable to the injured but magnanimous De Brooke. If his judgment in this case was erroneous, be it remembered it was his own; nor let the narrator be accountable for an excess of lenity and good nature peculiarly characteristic of the man.
"I hardly know" exclaimed he, "whether I should most admire or censure the character of the Baronet, as displayed throughout the whole of this astonishing business. To his sister what a depth of devoted affection! To his friend, in the first instance, what apparent ingratitude and villany! Even if he had not so frankly confessed and redressed all, I could hardly find it in my heart to condemn him. What is your opinion, Angelina?"
"Really, I don't know; I am almost afraid to trust my judgment in so nice a case. I had not deemed it possible I could ever look upon an act of that nature in any other light than that of an inexcusable violation of Divine and human laws. But,"—
"But," interrupted De Brooke, "necessity, you
