of those obstinate beings; others besides yourself have sought to persuade me to relinquish my engagements to Miss Airey, and was it in the power of mortal to succeed in so doing, it would have been your Lordship; that I have seemed incorrigible in pursuing my point, forgive me," added he, at the same time rising and approaching an open window, his whole deportment assuming that grandeur which a sense of rectitude alone can fully give, whilst with his hand extended, he pointed to where the river Hooghly flowed calmly and steadily along: "Sooner than turn my plighted faith from Miss Airey, might those waters be diverted from pursuing their perpetual course, or from joining their recipient stream the Ganges."
"My dear Douglas," ejaculated the Earl, advancing towards him and taking his hand affectionately, "be assured you have convinced me that you cannot act otherwise than you are doing; and far be it from me to seek to depreciate those high conceptions of honour you entertain. May you prosper in them!—may happiness attend you! And if it should ever be in my power to be serviceable to you, command me."
Douglas bowed, expressive of his sense of gratitude, and departed.
A few weeks after the happy Ellina became his wife.
