and innocent creature forms a barrier—an insurmountable barrier—to the connection you have proposed."
"I thought so—I suspected as much," replied Sir Aubrey, with a sarcastic sneer. "Some favourite holds you in bondage; and you prefer her disgraceful chains to the honourable alliance I am suggesting,—to a union calculated to procure you riches and rank,—the favour of your father, and consideration in the world. But go—go", said he, in contemptuous tones; "you are unworthy to bear my name, sir. Go to this secret object, whose amorous dalliance alone is suited to a mind grovelling as yours."
No longer able to contain himself, De Brooke burst forth with a vehemence of feeling it was impossible to suppress. That such debasing language should be applied to his virtuous wife fired him with indignation; and not perceiving, in his tumult of ideas, that the mistake of his father naturally sprung from his own inaccuracy of explanation, he vindicated his wife with all the warmth due to her injured innocence; while, at the same time. Sir Aubrey, with a voice almost choked with passion, exclaimed, "Leave me, sir—leave my house!" and denouncing a heavy imprecation, he flung open an
