Often had Mrs. De Brooke bent her footsteps to hover over that spot, pointed out to her by Robert; and often, in poring over the inscription with moistened eyes and an aching heart, had she read the awful and impressive lesson of what we are, and of what we must become when the immortal spirit, no longer confined within its earthly tenement, expatiates free in the regions of incorruption. Flowers were again thrown over the grave by the mother and sisters. De Brooke mournfully lingered by the side of his wife, and took a last and tender farewell of the spot.
This affecting task over, he seized an interval for presenting himself at the Royal levee, in order to thank His Majesty for the favour conferred upon him; but here he was unaccompanied by Sir Aubrey, who, purposely to avoid a rencontre with his son, affected to be confined by indisposition; yet was not his reception the less gracious.
The ceremony being performed, Major-General De Brooke and his partner elegantly equipped themselves with the various articles of ornament and splendour, the most approved by taste and fashion, suitable to their exalted station; this necessary preparation occupied them two days, when, in a genteel and neat travelling carriage, they pursued the road leading to Holyhead, where
