with the De Brooke family appear to the Blakes, in the survey of their views for the attainment of their favourite end. In the first place Oriana was the grand-daughter of Sir Aubrey De Brooke, that highly distinguished and meritorious officer at the court of his sovereign; next to him in station and consideration stood his son, General De Brooke; and last, though not least in estimation, was Oriana herself, possessing the most attractive and showy qualifications.
Thus Mr. and Mrs. Blake pictured to themselves the pride and pleasure with which Mrs. De Brooke and the lovely plants of her culture would be received after so long an absence by the family of the General. Then came the joy and exultation they naturally conceived Sir Aubrey might feel when the period arrived for introducing his grand-children at court, blooming in every youthful attraction. In following up still further the train of their conjectures, they thought it not unlikely that those charming sisters, so highly deserving of notice, might, as their years advanced, be selected to fill some place about Her Majesty's royal person, perhaps as maids of honour.
With hopes so splendid, it was no wonder those parents were desirous of forming a marriage con-
