De Brooke felt relieved from a certain embarrassment he never could surmount in the presence of his father; it appeared as if Sir Aubrey possessed urbanity for all but him; his looks, which were benignant to others, seemed clouded when he turned his eyes on him; the lowest lackey subservient behind the chair of his master, he was persuaded, had a heart more light, was sensible of a more interior liberty, than himself. Sometimes, fearing to be taxed with dulness in not contributing his share to the general conversation, he tried to conceal the burden which pressed upon him by an assumed gaiety foreign to his feelings or the tenor of his reflections; when perchance overacting his part, he drew upon himself severe animadversion. "What astonishing levity! what lightness of spirit in one so situated!" was the harsh judgment passed upon, and repeated to him.
De Brooke during the period of youth had been guided more by his Inclination than his Duty, and felt acutely sensible that he had irretrievably forfeited the paternal regard; yet in having severely suffered for his errors, originating in the head, but never in the heart, the compunctious feelings of his latter years had made him most particularly desirous to regain, if possible, the favourable estimation of his father; but alas! the period had
