her to see as through a mist. He besought her to tranquilize herself. A catastrophe so afflicting in its nature, and one so calculated to excite the amazement of his wife, unmanned him—not upon his own account, but from the distressing event about to be revealed in a manner so harsh and abrupt.
"My dear," said he, endeavouring to compose himself, "these persons have some particular business with me; I must go with them immediately."
"Go where? it is impossible!", exclaimed she; "they cannot insist upon your going with them in such a state as this, at so late an hour of the evening,—such disorder in your looks!"
Thus was she imploring, whilst the bailiffs, for such they were, began to express impatience of delay; when, just at that moment, Mrs. Philimore was announced. Her visit could not have been better timed for De Brooke, who, seizing the occasion, approached her, whispered a few words in her ear, commended his wife to her friendship, and passing the man in waiting, told them to follow, when he was recalled by an exclamation of grief from Mrs. De Brooke;—allowing himself but one parting embrace he burst from her.
Leaving the house he hastened towards a stand of hackney-coaches, entered the first that presented
