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Such was the public line of conduct pursued by Sir Aubrey against his son, whilst his private feelings, burning with indignation on account of his clandestine marriage, decided him to let him remain in prison. The better fortune of De Brooke, however, ordained it to be otherwise; and succeeding events, if they disarmed not wholly Sir Aubrey's resentment, suspended for awhile its effects. By an act of special favour, notice was communicated to him from a high quarter, intimating the command to which his son was appointed, and which would require him to hold himself in readiness to embark for Ireland. The alternative to which, by this timely intimation, Sir Aubrey found himself reduced—of abandoning on his son's behalf the fair prospect of honour and advancement, or of taking openly an active part in his affairs—could admit no longer of hesitation. Incensed as he was, to have so punished his son at the expense of his own pride and ambition was a measure more foreign to his character than to have disowned him for ever. He was determined, therefore, to inquire without delay into the affairs, with a view to the liberation, of his son. But in a proceeding of this nature Sir Aubrey was constrained, as well by predominant pride as habitual policy, to move with secrecy and circumspection.