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DUTY AND INCLINATION.
89

spirits. Her dejection had been already noticed by the family, and she was apprehensive they might discover the real cause. She therefore made fresh resolutions to subdue her feelings; and endeavoured to wear a smile, even though her heart felt as if it would break in the conflict. The miniature must be destroyed: she would not allow, herself a moment's hesitation: she would not even bestow one last and parting look upon the cherished resemblance. She broke it into a thousand atoms; gathered up the scattered fragments, cast them away, and then burst into a flood of tears. It might seem as though a powerful mind only could do this, and such was Rosilia's; such the virtue and heroic firmness of that mind, which usually seemed overflowing with softness and sensibility.

The General having disposed of his villa and furniture, for a term of years, to Lord Deloraine, parted with his servants, and all the outward appendages which had given pomp and splendour to his dwelling, reserving only a travelling-carriage for the use of his family; and the day was fixed when they were to retire, with a reduced and humble fortune, into the beautiful and romantic country of Wales. They could not but feel a regret in quitting scenes which had been endeared to them by long familiarity: every well-known spot, the