ords, and left Rushbrook released from a fate, which his
apprehensions had beheld impending that moment.

He had now a week to call his thoughts together, to weigh every
circumstance, and to determine whether implicitly to submit to Lord
Elmwood's recommendation of a wife, or to revolt from it, and see
another, with more subserviency to his will, appointed his heir.

Undetermined how to act upon this trial which was to decide his future
destiny, Rushbrook suffered so poignant an uncertainty, that he became
at length ill, and before the end of the week that was allotted him for
his reply, he was confined to his bed in a high fever. Lord Elmwood was
extremely affected at his indisposition; he gave him every care he could
bestow, and even much of his personal attendance. This last favour had a
claim upon the young man's gratitude, superior to every other obligation
which since his infancy his benefactor had conferred; and he was at
times so moved by those marks of kindness he received, that he would
form the intention of tearing from his heart every trace that Lady
Matilda had left there, and as soon as his health would permit him,
obey, to the utmost of his views, every wish his uncle had conceived.
Yet again, her pitiable situation presented itself to his compassion,
and her beauteous person to his love. Divided between the claims of
obligation to the father, and tender attachment to the daughter, his
illness was increased by the tortures of his mind, and he once sincerely
wished for that death, of which he was in danger, to free him from the
dilemma in which his affections had involved him.

At the time his disorder was at the height, and he lay complaining of
the violence of his fever, Lord Elmwood, taking his hand, asked him, "If
there was any thing he could do for him?"

"Yes, yes, my Lord, a great deal:" he replied eagerly.

"What is it, Harry?"

"Oh! my Lord," replied he, "that is what I must not tell you."

"Defer it then till you are well:" said Lord Elmwood; afraid of being
surprised, or affected by the state of his health, into any promises
which he might hereafter find the impropriety of granting.

"And when I recover, my Lord, you give me leave to reveal to you my
wishes, let them be what they will?"

His uncle hesitated----but seeing an anxiety for the answer, by his
raising himself upon his elbow in the bed and staring wildly, Lord
Elmwood at last said, "Certainly--Yes, yes," as a child is answered