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DUTY AND INCLINATION.
281

ing from his place of concealment, the enamoured Harcourt was before her. Once again he beheld her fascinating figure; he beheld her countenance covered with the sweet blush of innocence; and she, ere she had time to retire, caught his looks of fire issuing from that fervent flame which then pervaded his being.

"O fie, Rosilia!" exclaimed Mrs. Philimore, who, after still further rallying her young friend upon the conquest she had made, departed.

Mrs. Herbert, and the General also, had been absent from home since an early hour in the morning; the former, on her return, remarked that, as she approached the dwelling, she observed a gentleman keeping his station at the corner of the street, at the side of the house; "a tall, handsome, elegant-looking man, beating his switch upon the iron railings; and as I ascended the steps, he seemed perplexed and hesitating whether or not to accost me."

Mrs. De Brooke, glancing her eye at Rosilia, smiling said, "a persevering lover, truly;" and related to Mrs. Herbert the morning's adventure.

"Why, bless me! he must be extremely smitten to stand at his post so long: you little witch," continued she, addressing Rosilia, "did I not tell