NYPL RESEARCH LIBRARIES "3 3433 07491153 2 و سیسته " و ته E M M E LI NE, IME ORPHAN of the CASTLE. - Ε Ε, Μ Ν Μ Ι Ε Σ THE :: ORPHAN of the CASTLE. BY CHARLOTTE SMITH. IN FOUR VOLUNI E S. v O L. 1v. LONDON: PRINTED FOR T. CADELL, IN THE STRAND. 1788. 7 192920 Ε Μ Μ Ε L Ι Ν Ε, THE ORPHAN of the CASTLE. CHAPTER 1.. D THE Chateau de St. Alpin was a 1 gloomy and antique building, but in habitable repair. The only conſtant reſi: dent in it for ſome years had been the Demoiſelle de St. Alpin, now about five and forty ; whoſe whole attention had been - given to keeping it in order, and collecting, in the garden, variety of plants, in which ſhe took ſingular pleaſure. Detached front Vol. IV. В the 2 . E M M E LI NE, ne - TTT the world, and with no other relations than her brother and her nephews, whom ſhe was ſeldom likely to fee, ſhe found in this in- nocent and amuſing purſuit a reſource againſt the tedium of life. Her manners, tho' ſimple, were mild and engaging; and her heart perfectly good and benevolent. With her, therefore, Emmeline was ex- tremely pleaſed; and the country in which her reſidence was ſituated, was ſo beautiful, that accuſtomed to form her ideas of mag- nificent ſcenery from the firſt impreſſions that her mind had received in Wales, Em- meline acknowledged that her eye was here perfectly ſatisfied. With her heart it was far otherwiſe. On her arrival at St. Alpin, ſhe found letters, from Lady Adelina encloſed in others from Mrs. Stafford. Lady Adelina gave ſuch an account of her own health as convinced Emmeline it was not improved ſince the left England. Of Mr. Godolphin ſhe only ſaid, that he was returned from Ireland, but had ſtaid with her only a few hours, and was then obliged to go on buſineſs to Lon- don, where his continuance was uncertain. Mrs. THE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE. 3 Mrs. Stafford gave of herſelf and her family a more pleaſing account. She ſaid ſhe had hopes that the readjuſtment of Mr. Stafford's affairs would ſoon allow of their return to England; and as it might poſſibly happen on very ſhort notice, and before Emmeline could rejoin them, ſhe had ſent, by a family who were travelling to Geneva, and who readily undertook the care of it, à large box which contained ſome of her cloaths and the caſkets which belonged to her, which had been long left at Mrs. Alh- wood's after Emmeline's precipitate depar- ture from her houſe with Delamere, and which, on Mrs. Aſhwood's marriage and re- moval, ſhe had ſent with a cold note (ad- dreſſed to Miſs Mowbray) to the perſon who negociated Mr. Stafford's buſineſs in London. Their lengthened journey had ſo much broken in on the time allotted to their tour, that Lord and Lady Weſthaven pur- poſed ſtaying only a month at St. Alpin. The Baron, who had equal pride and plea- ſure in the company of his nephew, en- deavoured by every ineans in his power to B 2 make 4. EMMELINE, ne 21 make that time paſs agreeably; and felt great ſatisfaction in Thewing to the few neighbours who were within fifteen miles of his chateau, that he had, in an, Engliſh nobleman of ſuch rank and merit, fo near a relation. He had obſerved very early the growing paſſion of his fon for Miſs Mowbray. He was aſſured that ſhe returned it; for he never fuppoſed it poſſible that any woman could behold the Chevalier with indiffer- ence. He had heard from Lord Weſthaven that Emmeline was the daughter of a man of faſhion, but was by the circumſtances of her birth excluded from any share of his fortune, and entirely dependant on the fa- vour of the Marquis of Montreville. The old Baron, charmed himſelf with her perſon and her manners, rather approved than op- poſed the wiſhes of his ſon; and however con- venient it might have been to have ſeen him married to a woman of fortune, he was diſpoſed to rejoice at his inclining to inærry at all; and convinced that with Emmeline COM Io THE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE. 5 tre e Emmeline he muſt be happy, thought he might diſpenſe with being rich. The Che- valier, confident of ſucceſs, and believing that Emmeline had meant by her timid re- fuſals only encouragement, grew ſo ex- tremely importunate, that ſhe was ſome- times on the point of declaring to him her real ſituation. But from this ſhe was deterred by the apprehenſion that he would apply to Lord Delamere for the relinquiſhment of her pro- miſe ; and ſhould he obtain it, conſider himſelf as having a claim to the hand his Lordſhip reſigned. " This was an hope, which whatever his vanity might have ſuggeſted, ſhe never meant to give him ; yet ſhe had the morti- fication to find that all her rejections, how- ever repeated, were conſidered by the Che- valier as words of courſe. It was in vain The aſſured him that beſides her diſinclina- tion to change her ſituation by marriage at all, ſhe had other forcible objections; that The ſhould never think of paſſing her life out of England ; that not only their country, B 3 but E , M E M I N E L but their manners, their ideas on a thou. fand ſubjects ſo materially differed, as to make every other reaſon of her refuſal un- neceſſary, When ſhe ſeriouſly urged thus much, he uſually anſwered that he would then reſide in England ; that he would accommodate his manner of living to her pleaſure; and that as to the ideas which had diſpleaſed her, he would never again offend her with their repetition. Emmeline had indeed been extremely hurt and diſguſted at that levity of princi- ple on the moſt ſerious fubjects which the Chevalier avowed without reſerve, and for which he appeared to value himſelf. Tho' brought up a Calviniſt, he had as he owned always conformed to the mode of worſhip and ceremonies of the Catholics while he was among them; and uſually added, that had he ſerved amid the Turks or the Jews, he ſhould have done the ſame, as a matter of great indifference. The Baron, whoſe life had been more active than contemplative, was unaccuſa tomed THE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE, my T tomed to conſider theſe matters deeply. And as every thing Bellozane advanced had with him great authority, he was ſtruck with his lively arguments; and whatever might be their ſolidity, could not help admiring the wit of the Chevalier, whom he ſometimes encouraged to difpute with Lord Weſthaven. The religion of Lord Weſthaven was as ſteady and unaffected as his morals were excellent ; and he en- tered willingly into theſe dialogues with Bellozane, in hopes of convincing him that infidelity was by no means neceſſary to the character of a ſoldier; and that he was un- likely to ſerve well the country to which he belonged, or for which he fought, who began by inſulting his God. He found however that the young man had imbibed theſe leſſons ſo early, and fan- cied them ſo much the marks of a fuperior and penetrating mind, that he could make no impreſſion by rational argument. Bel- łozane uſually anſwered by a ſprightly quo- tation from fome French author, and his Lordſhip ſoon declined the converſation, B4 believing 8 - E M M E LI NE, believing that if ſickneſs and forrow did not ſupercede ſo ſlow a cure, time at leaſt would convince him of his folly. But ſuch was the effect of this ſort of diſcourſe on Emmeline, that had Bellozanie been in other refpects unexceptionable, and had her heart been free from any other im- preſſion, ſhe would never have liſtened to him as a lover. From his own account of himſelf in other reſpects, Emmeline had gathered enough to believe that he was profligate and im- moral. But as ſhe could not appear to de- tect theſe errors without allowing him to ſuppoſe her intereſted in his forſaking them, the generally heard him in ſilence; and only when preſſed to name her objections ſtated his looſe opinions as one in her mind very material. To this he again repeated, that his opi- nions he would correct ; his reſidence ſhould be ſettled by herſelf.-" Had ſhe any ob- , “ jection to his perſon?” enquired he, as he proudly ſurveyed it in the long old faſhioned THE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE. 9 faſhioned glaſs which ornamented the ſal a '- manger. * Emmeline, bluſhing from the conſcious recollection of the reſemblance it bore in height and air to that of Godolphin, an- fwered faulteringly-" That to his perſon “ there could be no objection.” - To his fortune?” " It was undoubtedly more than ſituated " as ſhe was ſhe could expect.” " To his family?" ." It was a family whoſe alliance muſt « confer honour.” " What then?” vehemently continued the Chevalier " what then, charming Em- “ meline, occaſions this long reſerve, this « barbarous coldneſs ? Since you can form " no decided objection ; ſince you have « undoubtedly allowed me to hope; why “ do you thus cruelly prolong my fuífer- “ ings.? Surely, you do not, you cannot - mean finally to refuſe and deſert me, “ after having permitted me ſo long to “ ſpeak to you of my paſſion ?” Ice c * Dining-room. B 5 D 66 It 10 EMMELINE, “ It is with ſome juſtice," gravely and coldly anſwered Emmeline I own it is “ with ſome juſtice that you impute to me “ the appearance of coquetry; becauſe I “ have liſtened with too much patience, “ (tho' certainly never with approbation,) * to your diſcourſe on this ſubject. But " be aſſured that whatever I have ſaid, “ tho' perhaps with inſufficient firmneſs, I " now repeat, in the hope that you will “ underſtand it as my unalterable reſolu- “ tion-The honour you are ſo obliging « as to offer me, I never can accept; and " I beg you will forbear to urge me farther “ on a ſubject to which I never can give « any other anſwer.” This dialogue, which happened on the fecond day of her reſidence at St. Alpin, and the firſt moment he could find her alone, did not ſeem to diſcourage the Che- valier. He obſerved her narrowly. The country round St. Alpin, which, as well as the place itſelf, he thought “ triſte et in- 66. Supportable," ſeemed to delight and at- tract her. He ſaw her not only enduring buc Cann Ces THE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE. IT but even fond of his annt and her plants, which were to him, “ les ſujets du monde les " plus facheux."*_His exceſive vanity made him perfift in believing that flie could not admire ſuch a place but thro’ fome Jatent partiality to it's maſter; nor ſeek the company and eſteem of his aunt, but for the ſake of her nephew. · Theſe remarks, and a conviction formed on his own ſelf-love and on the experience of his Pariſian conqueſts, made him diſ- regard her refuſal and perſecute her in- ceſſantly with his love. Lord Weſthaven faw her uneaſineſs; but knew not how to relieve her without offending the Baron and the Chevalier, or divulging circum- ftances of which he did not think himſelf at liberty without her permiſton to ſpeak. Lady Weſthaven, to whom Emmeline was obliged to complain of the importunity of Bellozane, repeatedly but very fruit- leſsly remonſtrated with him. What the had at firſt ridiculed, now gave her pain ; and anxious as ſhe was to reconcile her. * The moſt boring ſubjects in the world. B6 brother - 12 E M M E LINE, brother to her friend, from whom ſhe thought only his warmth of temper and a miſunderſtanding had divided him, ſhe wiſhed to ſhorten as much as poſſible their ſtay at St. Alpin. Her own ſituation too made her very anxious to return to England; and ſhe was .. impatient to ſee Lord Delamere, to explain to him all the myſtery of Emmeline's con- duct; a detail which ſhe could not venture. by the poſt, tho' ſhe had written to him from Lyons, intreating him to fufpend all opinion in regard to Miſs Mowbray's con- duct 'till ſhe ſhould ſee him. This letter never reached the hands of Lord Delamere, and therefore was not an- fwered to St. Alpin ; whither his ſiſter had deſired him to direct, and where ſhe now grew very uneaſy at not hearing from him. Le Limoſin and his Madelon had ar- rived at St. Alpin ſome time before their noble patrons, with whoſe goodneſs they were elated to exceſs. Le Limoſin hiin- ſelf, alſiduous to do every thing for every body, THE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE. 13 no- body, flew about as if he was but twenty. His particular province was to attend with Lady Weſthaven's Engliſh ſervant on her Ladyſhip and Miſs Mowbray; and Madelon was directed to wait on the latter as her fille de chambre. Emmeline, with painful ſolicitude for which ſhe could hardly account, wiſhed to hear from Le Limoſin thoſe particulars of her father of which he was ſo well able to inform her. He had ferved, too, her mo- ther; whoſe name ſhe had hardly ever heard repeated, and of whoin, before wit- neſles, ſhe dared not enquire. , Lord Weſthaven had not yet explained to him to what he principally owed the ex- traordinary kindneſs he had met with. He knew not that the lady on whom he had the honour to wait was the daughter of that maſter to whoin he had been ſo much obliged. The firſt days that Lord and Lady Weſt- haven and Emmeline had paſſed with the Baron, had been engaged by company or in parties which he made to ſhew the views of 14 . E M M É LINE, he I of the ſurrounding country to his Engliſh gueſts. The Chevalier never ſuffered Em- meline to be abſent from theſe excurſions, nor when at home allowed her to be a mo- ment out of his company. If ſhe fought refuge in the chamber of Mrs. St. Alpin, he followed her; if ſhe went with her to her plants, thither alfo came Bellozane; and having acquired from his aunt's books a few phyſical and botanical terms, affected to deſire information, which the old Lady, bighly pleaſed with his deſire of improve- ment in her favourite ſtudies, gave him with great ſimplicitly: · Lord Weſthaven grew apprehenſive that the jaunts of pleaſure which the Baron con- tinued to propoſe would be too fatigueing for his wife. And as they were now to go on a vifit to one of St. Alpin's old military friends, who reſided at the diſtance of fif- teen miles, and where they were to remain all night, he prevailed on her to ſtay at home, where Einmeline alſo deſired to be left. Bellozane, deteſting a party which the ladies THE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE. 15 ladies were not ro enliven, made ſome efforts to be excuſed alſo; but lie found his de- clining to go would ſo much chagrin and diſappoint his father, that, with whatever re- luctance, he was obliged to fet out with him. :: Lady Weſthaven, who was a good deal indiſpoſed, went to lie down in her own room; whither Emmeline attended her, and finding ſhe was diſpoſed to ſleep, left her. Mrs. St. Alpin was buſied in her gar- den ; and Emmeline, delighted with an op- portunity of being alone, retired to her room to write to Mrs. Stafford. She had not proceeded far in her letter, when a fervant informed her that the meſſenger who had been ſent to Geneva for her box was returned with it. She defired that it might be brought up. Madelon came to affift her in opening it, and then left her.. She took out the cloaths and linen, and then the two embroidered caſkets, which lae put on the table before her, and gazed at with melancholy pleature, as Glent inemo- rials of her parents. They brought alſo to her nen 16 E M M E L I NE, her mind the recollection of Mrs. Carey, and many of her infantine pains and pleaſures at Mowbray Caſtle, where ſhe remembered firſt to have remarked them in a drawer belonging to that good woman ; to which, tho' it was generally locked, ſhe had oc- caſionally ſent her little charge when ſhe was herſelf confined to her chair.. . One of them ſhe had began to inſpect at Clapham, and peruſed fome of the letters it contained. They were from her grand- mother, Mrs. Mowbray, to her father; and were filled with reproaches ſo warm and fevere, and ſuch pointed cenſures of his conduct in regard to Miſs Stavordale, her mother, to whom one letter yet inore bitter was addreſſed, that after reading three of them, Emmeline believed that the further inſpection of the caſket was likely to pro- duce for her only unavailing regret. · Still however ſhe would then have con- tinued it, painful as it was, but was inter- rupted by the ſudden entrance of Lord Montreville, who came to enquire after his fon. The light of Mr. Mowbray's picture, which THE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE. 17 wa which ſhe had taken out, created in the breaſt of his Lordſhip a momentary tender- neſs for his niece. She had ſince always worn that picture about her, but the papers, by which ſhe had been too much affected after that interview farther to peruſe, The had again ſecured in the caſkets; and being almoſt immediately afterwards taken by Delamere on her involuntary journey to Stevenage, from whence the returned, no more to Clapham, ſhe had not ſince had them in her poffeffion. Her mind in this interval had acquired greater ſtrength; and the at length wiſhed to know thoſe particulars of her mother's fate, into wlich ſhe had hitherto forborne thro' timidity, to enquire. Being now therefore alone, and having theſe repoſito- ries once more in her hands, ſhe reſolutely inſpected them. The firſt contained about twenty letters. Some were thoſe ſhe had before ſeen, and others followed them equally ſevere. They ſeemed in ſullen reſentment to have been preſerved; and Emmeline could not but reflect ries 18 EMMEL IN E, reflect with pain on the anger and aſperity in which they were written; on the remorſe and uneaſineſs with which they muſt have been read. The ſecond caſket ſeemed alſo to hold letters. On opening it, Emmeline found they were part of the correſpondence be- tween her father and mother during the early part of their acquaintance, when, tho' they ſometimes reſided in the fame houſe, the vigilant obſervation of Mrs. Mowbray very feldom allowed them to converſe. Ainong thefe, were ſeveral pieces of poetry, elegant and affecting. After having read which, Einmeline imagined ſhe had ſeen all the box contained, a few looſely folded papers only remaining ; but on open- ing one of theſe, what was her aſtoniſh- ment to find in it two certificates of her mother's marriage; one under the hand of a Catholic prieſt, by whoin they were mar- ried immediately on their arrival at Dun- kirk; the other ſigned a few days before the birth of Emmeline by an Engliſh clergy- man, who had again performed the cere- . moni THE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE. 19 mony in the chapel of the Engliſh Ambaſ- fador at Paris. That the memory of her mother ſhould thus be free from reproach; that the con- duct of her father, which had hitherto ap- peared cruel and unjuſt, ſhould be vindi- cated from every aſperſion, and that the ſhould herſelf be reſtored to that place in fociety from which ſhe ſeemed to be ex- cluded for ever; was altogether ſuch un- expected, ſuch incredible happineſs, as made her almoſt doubtful of the evidence of her fenſes. Ignorant as ſhe was of the uſual form of ſuch papers, yet the care with which theſe ſeemed to be executed left her little doubt of their regularity. One other folded paper yet remained unread. Trem- bling ſhe opened it. It was written in her father's hand and endorſed MEMORANDU M. 66 The harſhneſs with which my mother and her fainily have treated Miſs Stavordale, for a ſuppoſed crime, has forced her to put herſelf under my protection. Miſs Stavor- dale 20 E M M E L I NE, 1 LO dale is now my wife; but of this I ſhall not inforın my family, conceiving myſelf ac- countable no longer to perſons capable of ſo much raſhneſs and injuſtice. Leaſt any thing however ſhould happen before I can make a will in due form, I hereby acknow- ledge Emmeline. Stavordale (now Mow- bray) as my wife; and her child, whether a fon or a daughter, heir to my eſtate. My brother being poſſeſſed of a very lage for- tune, both by his late marriage and the gifts of his mother's family, will hardly diſpute the claim of ſuch child to my pater- nal oferte. - " (This is a duplicate of a paper fent to Francis Williamſon, my ſteward at Mow- bray Caſtle.) Signed by me at Paris in pre- ſence of two witneſſes, this fifteenth of March, 17–. " HENRY CHARLES MOWBRAY. Witneſſed by . . ROBERT WALLACE, BAPTISTE LA Fere, (dit Le Limoſin.)” This, THE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE. 21 as This, which was of the ſame date as the - laſt certificate, confirmed every claim which they both gave Emineline to her name and fortune. A change of circumſtances ſo ſud- den ; her apprehenſions that the Marquis of Montreville, who ſhe thought muſt have long known, ſhould diſpute her legitimacy, and her wonder at the concealment which Mr. Williamſon and Mrs. Carey ſeemed paſſively to have ſuffered; which together with a thouſand other ſenſations crouded at once into her mind, ſo greatly affected her, that feeling herſelf grow fick, ſhe was obliged to call Madelon, who being at work in an adjoining room, ran in, and ſeeing her lady look extremely pale, and hearing her ſpeak with difficulty, the threw open the window, fetched her ſome water, and then without waiting to ſee their effects the flew away to call Mrs. St. Alpin ; who pre- fently appeared, followed by her maid car- rying a large caſe which was filled with bottles of various diſtillations from every aromatic and pungent herb her garden or the adjacent mountains afforded. Emmeline, 22 E M M E L IN E, . Emineline, hardly knowing what ſhe did, was compelled to ſwallow a glaſs full of one of theſe cordials; which Mrs. St. Alpin al- ſured her was so excellente pour les vapeurs."* It almoſt deprived her of breath, but re- called her aſtoniſhed ſpirits ; and having with great difficulty prevailed on her kindly. buſy hoſteſs to leave her, the locked up her papers, and threw herſelf on the bed; where, having directed Madelon to draw the cur- tains and retire, ſhe tried to compoſe her mind, and to conſider what ſteps ſhe ought to take in conſequence of this extraordinary diſcovery. * Excellent for the cure of vapours, СНАР. THE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE. 23 CH A P T E R II. · NONVINCED of the noble and diſ- W intereſted nature of Lord Weſthaven, Emmeline thought ſhe ought immediately on his return to thew him the papers fhe had found, and entreat him to examine, for farther particulars,Le Limoſin, who ſeemed providentially to have been thrown in her way on purpoſe to elucidate her hiſtory. After having formed this reſolution, her mind was at liberty for other reflections. Delamere returned to it: his unjuſt ſuſpi- cions ; his haughty reproaches; his long, indignant anger, which vouchlafed not even to ſolicit an explanation; were involuntarily compared with the gentleneſs, the generoſity of Godolphin ; with his candid temper, his warm affections, his tender heart. And. with pain ſhe remen cred, that unleſs De- lamere would relinquish the fatal promiſe ſhe had given him, he could not ſhew the preference which ſhe feared the muſt ever feel 24 EMMELINE, feel for Godolphin. Sometimes ſhe thought of aſking Lord Weſthaven to apply to Delamere for her releaſe. But how could The venture on a meaſure which might in volve, in ſuch difficulties,Lady Adelina, and engage Lord Weſthaven in an enquiry fatal to his repoſe and that of his whole family? How could the, by this application, coun- teract the wiſhes of Lady Weſthaven, who . anxiouſly hoped to re-unite her brother and her friend ; and who deſired ardently to be in England, that ſhe might explain herſelf, to Delamere, all the circumſtances that had injured Eınıneline in his opinion ; which ſhe thought ſhe could eaſily do without ha- zarding any of the evils that might follow from an inconſiderate diſcloſure of the occurrences he had miſunderſtood. · Uneaſily ruminating on the painful un- certainty of her ſituation and the difficulties which every way ſurrounded her, ſhe con- tinued alone; till Lady Weſthaven, alarmed at hearing the had been ill, ſent her woman to enquire after and know if ſhe might herſelf come to her? Emmeline, to re- lieve at once her friendly folicitude, aroſe and ceu THE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE. 25 and went to her apartment; where the made light of her fickneſs, and endeavoured to affume as much chearfulneſs as poſſible. -Till ſhe had ſeen Lord Weſthaven, the determined not to mention to her Ladyſhip the diſcovery of the morning ; feeling that there would be great indelicacy in eagerly divulging to her a ſecret by which ſhe inuſt tacitly accuſe the Marquis of Montreville of having thus long detained from its legal owner the Mowbray eſtate; and of having brought up in indigence and obſcurity, the daughter of his brother, while conſcious of her claim to education and affluence. Struggling therefore to ſubdue the re- maining tumult of her fpirits, ſhe rejoined her friend. They paſſed the afternoon tran- quilly with Mrs. St. Alpin; and about eleven o'clock the following morning, Lord Weſthaven, the Baron, and the Chevalier, returned. Emmeline took the earlieſt opportunity of telling Lord Weſthaven that ſhe wiſhed to ſpeak to him alone. There was no way VOL. IV. of 26 E M M E LINE, of eſcaping from the Chevalier but by his Lordſhip’s openly declaring that he wanted à private conference with his fair couſin, whom he led into the garden, Bellozanc, who hoped that his earneſt ſolicitations had prevailed on Lord Weſthaven to befriend his love, was glad to ſee them walk out together, while he watched them from a window. Emmeline put into her pocket the two certificates and the memorandum written by her father. Without explanation or comment ſhe gave them, as ſoon as they were at a little diſtance from the houſe, to Lord Weithaven. He read them twice over in ſilence ; then looking with aſtoniſhment at Emme- line, he aſked her from whence ſhe had theſe papers ? " They were encloſed, my Lord,” an- ſwered ſhe “ in two little boxes or caſkets “ which were left to me ainong other things “ by my father's nurſe ; who becoming the “ houſekeeper at Mowbray Caſtle, brought " me WE THE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE 25 VE th * me up. They afterwards long remained " at the houſe of Mrs. James Crofts, with 66 whom you know I reſided; on her re- to moval after her inarriage, they were ſent, es together with ſome of my cloaths, to Mrs. 66 Stafford's agent in London; from whence t the lately received them; and having an * opportunity of ſending them to Geneva by “ a fainily travelling thither, ſhe forwarded *s them to me, and I found them yeſterday " in the trunk brought by the meſſenger 66 which you know the Baron ſent thither to on purpoſe.” Again Lord Weſthaven read the papers; and after pauſing a moment ſaid “There is no doubt, there can be none, s of the authenticity of theſe papers, nor of “ your conſequent claim to the Mowbray is eſtate. Surely,” added he, again pauf- ing " fürely it is moſt extraordinary that « Lord Montreville ſhould have ſuffered the true circumſtances of your birth to * remain thus long unexplained. Moſt “ cruel! moſt ungenerous ! to poſſeſs him- “ ſelf of a property to which he muſt know C 2 . 65 he 28 E., E N M I M L E 66 lie had no right! Your father's memo- " 'randum ſays that he had forwarded a du- “ plicate of it to Francis Williamſon ; do “ you know whether that perſon is yet live « ing?" .: “ He is dead, my Lord. He died in " conſequence of an accident at Mowbray “ Caſtle, where he was inany years ſteward." “ He muſt however have had ſufficient 6 time to give Lord Montreville every in- “ formation as to his maſter's marriage, even “ ifhis Lordſhipknew it not, as he probably os did, by other means. Yet from a man of « honour-from Lord Montreville-ſuch "s conduct is moſt unworthy. I can hardly “ conceive it poſſible that he ſhould be “ guilty of ſuch concealinent." .“ Surely, my Lord, it is poſſible,” ſaid - the candid and ingenuous Eimeline “ ſurely it is poffible that my uncle might, “ by ſome accident, (for which without “ knowing more we cannot account) have “ been kept in ignorance of my mother's s real ſituation. For your ſatisfaction and 46 mine, before we ſay more on this • ſubject, THE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE. 29 ST Ore "ſubject, would it not be well to hear “ what Le Limoſin, who was I ſuppoſe pre- “ ſent both at iny mother's marriage and “6 at my father's death, has to relate ?" . To this propoſal Lord Weſthaven agreed. The ſal a compagnie* was uſually vacant at this time of the day. Thither they went together, and ſent for Le Limoſin; who loved talking ſo much that nothing was more eaſy than to make him tell all he remem- bered, and even minutely deſcribe every : {cene at which lc had been preſent.' . « Le Liinolin," ſaid Lord Weſthaven, as ſoon as he came into the room, “ I was 66. much pleaſed and intereſted with the ac- “ count: you gave me when I firſt met you, 66 of the Engliſh maſter whom you call “ Milor Mowbray. I know his family well. " Tell me, does this picture reſemble hiin!” His Lordſhip (hewed him a portrait of Mr. Mowbray which had been drawn at Paris. Le Limoſin looked a moment at it--the tears came into his eyes. “O ouimoui, mi Lor!---je me rappelle ç bien ce portrait ! -A! quel reſemblance ! . . Drawing room. Quelques C3 30 E M M E LI NE, “ Quelques mois avant ſa mort tel etoit mon: “ pauvre maitre! Al!” added he, giving back, with a figh, the picture to Lord Weſthaven—66 cela me fend le cæeur !"* ? « Now then," reaſſumed Lord Weſt- haven, “ look, Le Limoſin, at that." He put before him the reſemblance of Emme- line's mother, which had been painted at the ſame time. - Eb! pardi ouico-voila-voila Madame! - la charmante femme, dont la perte couta " la vie a mon maitre. Helas ! je m'en “ Souviens bien du jôur que je vis pour la “ premiere fois cette aimable dame. Elle " n'avoit qu'environ quatorze a quinze ans. “ Ab! qu'elle etoit pour lors, gaï, eſpiegles “ folatre, et le belle ! --ſi belle !”+ " Tell me," ſaid Lord Weſthaven, “all s you remember of her.” * O yes, my Lord; I recollect well this picture. What a likeneſs ! Such, a few months before he died, was my poor maſter ! Alas! it cuts me to the heart. : + Ah! hah! yes,--there is, fure enough, my lady. The charming woman whoſe loſs coſt my maiter his life. Alas! how well I recollect the firſt day I ſaw this amiable lady; ſhe was then only between four- teen and fifteen ; and at that time ſo gay, fo full of frolic and vivacity, and ſo very, very pretty! 56 I remember THE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE. 31 “ I remember her, my Lord,” ſaid Le Limoſin, ſpeaking ſtill in French, “ I re- " member her from the firſt of my going to “ England with Milor Mowbray. She “ lived then with Madame Mowbray; and “ the fervants told me, that being a diftant relation and an orphan, Madame had taken her and intended to give her a for- “ tune. Milor Mowbray, when he firſt returned from his travels, uſed to live 6 two or three months with Madame his 6 mother; but the was ſtrict and fevere, 5 and uſed frequently to reproach him with “his gaieties--il etoit un peu libertin Milor, s comme font a l'ordinaire les jeunes Seigneur's 66 de fa nation.* He admired Mademoi- • ſelle Stavordale as a beautiful child, and “ uſed to romp with her ; but as ſhe grew ~ older, Madame Mowbray was diffatisfied “ with him for taking fo much notice of “ her, and would oblige her to live always “ up in Madame's dreſſing room, ſo that “my maſter could hardly ever fee her. “ Madame, however, told my maſter one : * He was a little free, my Lord; as the young no- blemen of his country uſually are. C4 day 32 EMMELINE:* “ day, that tho? Mademoiſelle Stavordale .. had no fortụne, ſhe would not object to “his marrying her in a year or two if he " was then in the ſame mind. But my maf- .“ ter was in his turn offended. He ſaid he “ would not be dictated to, nor told whe- “ther he ſhould marry or remain ſingle. “ Madame etoit forte bruſquem elle piquoit “ Monſieur par un reponſe un peu vive " and they had a violent diſagreement; “ in conſequence of which he quitted her “ houſe, and only went now and then af- « terwards to ſee her quite in form. Some “ months afterwards he called me to him; " and as I was dreſſing him he aſked me “ if I had no female friend among his mo- “6 ther's ſervants. Baptiſte,' ſaid he, I I cannot get the Demoiſelle Stavordale out of my head. --J'aime a la folie, cette fille * mais pour le mariage, je ne ſuis pas trop · Sur, que je m'acquitterai bien, en promiſſant 36 de l'aimer pour la vie.--Je veux auſſi • qu'elle m'aime fans que l'interet y’entre pour ' quelque choſe.:-Puiſque Madame má mere * Madame was very hafty; ſhe irritated my maſter by a ſharp anſwer, s'amuse THE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE. 33 s'amuſe a me guetter, je voudrois bien la • tromper, je feais que tu eft babile--ne * pourra tu pas nous menager une petite tete • a tete?'* “. Milor, je faiſois mon polfi- so ble et enfin-par la bonté et lboneteté “ d'une fille qui fervoit Madame-je vins “ beureuſement about Quelque jours apres “ Monfieur enleva la belle Stavordale tant 66 en depit--qu'en amour." option At this recital, Einmeline found herſelf cruelly hurt; but Lord Weſthaven befought her to cominánd herſelf, and Le Limoſin went on. - :." To avoid the rage and reproaches of “. Madame Mowbray, which it was likely 66 would be very loud, iny maſter took "“ Mademoiſelle Stavordale immediately I love that girl to madneſs; but as to marrying her I am not quite ſure I ſhould acquit myſelf well were I to promiſe that I would love her for ever. I deſire too that intereft may have nothing to do with her affection for me. As my mother amuſes herſelf . with watching me, I long to deceive her. You are a clever fellow; cannot you contrive for us a private meeting?' ' ? · + My Lord, I did my beſt; and at laſt by the good neſs and civility of a young woman who waited on Madame, I happily accompliſhed it. Some days af- ter which, my maſter carried off the fair Stavordale, as much thro' revenge as love, abroad C5 · 34 E M M E L IN E, . . abroad. We landed at Dunkirk; but the “ young lady was ſo unhappy at the ſtep the “ had taken, elle pleuroit, elle ſe deſoloit, “ elle s'abandonna a le deſeſpoir enfin, tant “ elle faiſoit,* that Monſieur ſent for a prieſt, and they were married. Soon af- “ terwards my lady was likely to bring Mon- “ fieur an heir. Ah! qu ils etoient pour lors “ beureux. But their happineſs was inter- « rupted by the death of my maſter's mo- tlier, Madaine Mowbray, who had never “ forgiven him, and who diſpoſed of all «her money that was in her own power to “ his brother. My poor lady took this “ ſadly to heart. She reproached herſelf “ with being the cauſe of my maſter's loſing “ ſuch a fortune. He ſaid he had yet “ enough; and tried to conſole my lady. « Still, ſtill it hung on her ſpirits; and the so could not bear to think that Madame « Mowbray, who had brought her up, and as had been kind to her when ſhe had no other “ friend, ſhould have died in anger with * She wept, ſhe lamented, the gave herſelf up to despair. “ her. THE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE. 35 her. I believe my maſter was ſorry then 6. that he had not reconciled himſelf with ** his mother, as my lady often begged « and entreated that he would; but it was 16 now too late ; and he ſaid his brother 6 had uſed him unkindly, and had certainly « helped to irritate his mother againſt him; * and he would not write to him tho' my “ lady often deſired and prayed that he would. As the grew near her time, ſhe * was more and more out of ſpirits, and " my maſter finding heruneaſy becauſe they ** had not been married by an Engliſh prieſt, * had the ceremony performed again in ss the chapel of the Engliſh Ambaflador. 6 My maſter could not however make her 66 forget her concern for the death of his * mother; and ſhe was always melancholy, 65 as if ſhe had foreſeen how little a time * ſhe had herſelf to live. Alas ! ſhe brought “ my maſter a daughter, and died in three 6 hours !” 1. sonn i, . . . ::.66 If I were to live a thouſand years," continued Le Limoſin, “I ſhould never “ forget my poor maſter's diſtraction when “ he heard ſhe was dead. It was with great C6 “ difficulty 36 EMMELIN E, :;? “ difficulty that even with the aſſiſtance of " bis English fervants, I could prevent his * deſtroying himſelf in the phrenzy of his “ grief. I dared not leave him a moment. “ He heard nothing we ſaid to him; he "heeded not the queſtions I aſked him « about the child; and at laſt I was forced " to ſend an expreſs to Mr. Oxenden, his “ friend, who was at ſome diſtance from « Paris. He came, and by the help of “ another Engliſh gentleman they forced 6 him out of the houſe while the body of © my miſtreſs was removed to be carried " to England. He was ſo near madneſs, « that his friends were afraid of his relapf- “ing, even after he grew better, if they aſked him many queſtions about it. So - they gave me orders as to her funeral; 6 and after about a fortnight he came back “ to the houſe where the child was, attended « by his two friends.. 3-66 It was an heart-piercing fight, Milor, " to ſee him weep over the little baby as it 66. lay in the arms of it's nurſe. After ſome ** time he called me, and told me that he • ſhould not be eaſy, unleſs he was fure his “ poor THE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE. 37 ---- - - - - - $5 poor little girl would be taken proper < care of; that he had no friend in France < to whom he choſe to entruſt her; and !. therefore ordered me to go with the nurſe to England, and directed Theréſe, « my miſtreſs's fille de chambre, to go alſo, 6 chat the child Inight be well attended. “ He told me that he ſhould perhaps « quit Paris before I could get back; in 6, which caſe he would leave directions « where I ſhould follow him. Then he “, kiſſed his little girl, and his two friends « tore him away. I immediately proceeded “.to England as he directed, with the “ nurſe, and Theréle, and we carried the 6 infant to the Chateau de Mowbray. The “ French nurfe could ſpeak no Engliſh, and could not be prevailed upon to ſtay above two days. Theréſe too longed to o get back to France, and we immediately " returned to Paris, where I found a letter ** from my maſter, ordering me to follow “ him into Italy. . “ At Milan, Milor, I rejoined him. “He looked very ill; and complained of "feeling 38 EMM E L I NE, « feeling himſelf indiſpoſed.' But ſtill he “ went out; and I believe drank too much “ with his Engliſh friends. The third or 6 fourth day after I got there he came home “ from a party which he had made out of 6 town with them about ten o'clock in the « morning, and told me he had a violent “ pain in his head. He went up into « his room. “ I am ftrangely diſor- « dered, Baptiſte,' ſaid he, as he put his hand to his temples perhaps it may go off; but if it ſhould grow worſe, as I ain afraid it will, remember that you take • thoſe two little boxes in which I keep my ? papers, to England, and deliver them to my ſteward at Mowbray Caſtle. I have 6 already written to himn about my daugh- rter.' 66 Then almoſt ſhrieking with the “ acute pain which darted into his head, he “ cried_ I cannot talk, nor can I now write to my brother as I think I ought to * do about my child. But fend, fend for a ( notary, and when I am a little eaſier I will • dictate a will.' .“ Milor, I fent for the notary. But he waited all day in the anti-room to no pur- “ poſe THE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE. 39 “ .poſe. My poor maſter was never again "eaſy enough to ſee him-never again able "to dictate a will. He grew more and " more delirious, and continued to com- plain of his head, his head! Alas! he “ did not even know me, till about an hour “ before his death." Emmeline, whoſe tears had almoſt choak- ed her during the greateſt part of this nar- ration, now ſaid to Lord Weſthaven- “ My Lord, do not let him repeat the “ ſcene of my father's death; I am not now “ able to bear it." “ Well, Le Limoſin,” ſaid his Lordſhip, “ this young lady, who is the daughter of "s your maſter; the ſame whom you helped “ to carry, an infant, to Mowbray Caſtle, 6 will ſoon have it in her power to reward “s your fidelity and attachment to her fa- or ther.” Le Limoſin now threw himſelf on his knees in a tranſport of joy and acknowledg- ment. Lord Weſthaven, fearing that his raptures might quite overcomethe diſturbed {pirits of his fair miſtreſs, deſired her to give os him 40 E M M E LI NE, : him her hand to kiſs; which ſhe did; and trying, but ineffectually, to ſmile throʻ her tears, was led by his Lordſhip into her own room. He told her that at prelent he wiſhed to conceal from Lady Weſthaven the diſcovery they had made. “For tho' I am us convinced," added he, « that for your “ fake ſhe will rejoice in it, ſhe will be hurt $ at the extraordinary conduct of her fa- " ther, and harraſs herſelf with conjectures 66. about it and apologies for it, which I wiſh 6 to ſpare her in her preſent ſtate.” . ?! Emmeline aſſured him ſhe would obſerve a ſtrict ſilence; and he left her to give to Le Limoſin a charge of fecreſy. He then retired to his room, and wrote to Lord Montreville, ſtaring the ſimple fact, and en- cloſing copies of the certificates; and after Shewing his letter to Emmeline ſent it off to England. Emmeline now went out to walk, in hopes of recovering her compoſure and being able to appear at dinner without be- traying by her countenance that any thing extraordinary had been the ſubject of her converſation e DOW THE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE. 41 LIC converſation with Lord Weſthaven, The Chevalier, however, was ſoon at her ſide. And ſtill flattering himſelf that his Lord- thip had undertaken to plead his cauſe, he addreſſed her with all the confidence of a man ſure of ſucceſs. .... jan. Emmeline was very little diſpoſed to lif- ten to him; and with a greater appearance of chagrin and impatience than ſhe had yet Thewn, repeated to him her determination not to marry. He ſtill declared himſelf ſure of her relenting; and added, that un- leſs ſhe had deſigned finally to hear him ſhe would never have allowed him fo repeatedly to preſs his attachment. This ſpeech, which indirectly accuſed her of coquetry, encreaſed her vexation. But the perſevering Cheva- lier was not to be repreſſed. He told ber that he had projected a party of pleaſure on the lake the next day, in which he in- tended to include a viſit to the Rocks of Meillerie. s It is claſſic ground, Mademoiſelle,” ſaid he, and is fitted to love and deſpair. “ Ah! will you not there hear me? Will or you E M M E L IN E, « you ſtill inhumanly ſmile; will you ſtill “ look ſo gentle, while your heart is harder “ than the rocks we ſhall ſee-colder than “ the ſnow that crowns them !-an heart on “ which even the pen of fire which Rouſſeau “ held would make no impreſſion!” He held her hands during this rhapſody. She could not therefore immediately eſcape. But on the appearance of a ſervant, who an- nounced the dinner's being ready, the coldly diſengaged herſelf and went into the houſe. CHAP. СНАР. THE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE. 43 CHAPTER III. THE agitation ſhe had undergone in I the morning, affected both the ſpirits and the looks of Emmeline; and when, immediately after dinner, Bellozane pro- poſed the party of pleaſure he had projected for the next day, Lady Weſthaven an- fwered " As for me I ſhall on my own « account make no objection, but I cannot “ equally anſwer for our fair couſin.-Em- 66 meline, my love, you ſeem ill. I cannot “ imagine, my Lord, what you have been “ ſaying to her?" “ I have been adviſing her,” anſwered Lord Weſthaven, “ to go into a convent ; “ and her looks are merely looks of peni- " tence for all the miſchief ſhe has done. “ She deterinines to take the veil, and to 66 do no more. Emmeline, tho' hardly able to bear even this friendly raillery, turned it off with a melancholy ſmile. The party was agreed 'even upon; 44 E M M E LINE, upon; the Baron went out to give orders for preparing the proviſions they were to take with them, and the Chevalier to ſee that the boat was in a proper 1tate for the expedition and give the boatmen notice. Lady Weſthaven then began talking of England, and expreſſed her aſtoniſhment at having heard nothing from thence for above ſix weeks. While Lord Weſthaven was attempting to account for this failure of intelligence, which he ſaw gave his wife more concern than ſhe exprefled, a ſervant brought in ſeveral large pacquets of letters, which he ſaid the meſſenger who was uſually ſent to the poſt town, had that moment brought in. His Lordſhip, eagerly ſurveying the ad- dreſs of each, gave to Emmeline one for her; which opening, ſhe found came from Mrs. Stafford, and encloſed another. -- - .- -. -- .---- : St. Germains, June 6. : - My deareſt Emmeline will forgive me “ if I write only a line in the envelope, to account for the long detention of the “ encloſed letter, It has, by ſome miſtake 66 of ab THE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE. 45 e 2 AFFORD 56 of Mr. La Foſſe, been kept at Rouen " inſtead of being forwarded to St. Ger- « mains; and appears to have paſſed thro' “ numberleſs hands. I hope you will get " it ſafe; tho' my being at Paris when it " did arrive here has made it yet a week “ later. By the next poft I ſhall write “ more fully, and therefore will now only “ tell you we are well, and that I am ever, « with the trueſt attachment, your 66 C. STAFFORD.” Emmeline now faw by the feal and the addreſs that the ſecond letter was from Lord Montreville. It appeared to have been written in great haſte; and as ſhe unfolded it; infinite was her amazement to find, in- ſtead of a remittance, which about this time the expected, the promiſe the had given, Delamere, torn in two pieces and put into a blank paper. The aſtoniſhment and agitation ſhe felt at this ſight, hardly left her power to read the letter which ſhe held. - **Berkley-Square, May 5, 17- • Dear Miſs Mowbray, “ My ſon, Lörd Delainere, convinced 66 at 46 .' E M M E LI NE, • at length of the impropriety of a marriage “ ſo unwelcome to his family, allows me " to releaſe you from the promiſe which he us obtained. I do myfelf the pleaſure to « encloſe it, and ſhall be glad to hear you r receive it ſafe by an early poſt. My « Lord Delamere aſſures me that you hold *s no promiſe of the like nature from him. vs If he is in this matter forgetful, I doubt “ not but that you will return it on receipt « of this. “ Maddox informs me that he ſhall in r a few days forward to you the payment « due: to which I beg leave to add, that ** if you have occaſion for fifty or an hun- “ dred pounds more, during your ſtay on o the continent, you may draw on Maddox " to that amount. With ſincere wilhes for “ your health and happineſs, I am, dear " Miſs Mowbray, your obedient and faith- "o ful humble ſervant, “ MONTREVILLE." Tho'joy was, in the heart of Emmeline, the predominant emotion, ſhe yet felt ſome degree of piqueand reſentment involuntarily ariſe THE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE. 47 ariſe againſt Lord Montreville and his ſon ; and tho' the renunciation of the latter was what ſhe had ſecretly wiſhed ever ſince ſhe had diſcovered the capricious violence of Delamere and the merit of Godolphin, the cold and barely civil ſtile in which his fa- ther had acquainted her with it, ſeemed at once to ſhock, mortify, and relieve her. After having conſidered a moment the - contents of her own letters, ſhe caſt her eyes towards Lady Weſthaven, whoſe coun. tenance expreſſed great emotion; while her Lord, ſternly and diſpleafed ran over his, and then put them into his pocket. " What ſay your letters from England, “ my faireſt couſin ?” ſaid he, advancing and trying to ſhake off his chagrin. . .“ Will you do me the honour to peruſe " them, my Lord?” ſaid ſhe, half fimiling, mom so They will not take you up much time.” He read them. “ It is a ſettled thing " then I find. Lady Weſthaven, your's " are, I preſume, from Berkley-ſquare?” • They are," anfwered ſhe.---- Never” and ſhe took out her handherchief never « have I received any leſs welcome !" She E M M E LINE, . She gave one from Lady Frances Crofts to his Lordſhip, in which, with many details of her own affairs, was this ſentence : :“ Before this, you have heard from my " father or my mother that Lord Delamere " has entirely recovered the uſe of his rea, “ ſon, and accepts of Miſs Otley with her “ immenſe fortune. This change was 56 brought about ſuddenly. It was ſettled 66 in Norfolk, inmediately after Lord De. “ lamere's return from Ireland. I congra- “ tulate you and Lord W. on an event " which I conclude muſt to both of you be “ pleaſing. I have ſeen none of the fa. “ mily for near three weeks, as they are “ gone back into Norfolk; only my bro- " ther called for a moment, and ſeemed “ to be greatly hurried ; by which, as well “ as from other circumſtances, I conclude “ that preparations are making for the “ wedding immediately.” May, 18. .. Lady Weſthaven, who ſaw all hopes of being allied to the friend of her heart for ever at an end-who believed that ſhe had always THE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE. 49 always cheriſhed an affection for her brother, and who fuppofed that in conſequence of his defertion ſhe was left in mortifying de- pendance on Lord Montreville, vas inſ- nitely hurt at this information. The letter from her father to Emmeline confirmed all her apprehenſions. There was a freezing çivility in the ſtyle, which gave no hopes of his alleviating by generoſity and kindneſs the pain which her Ladyſhip concluded Emmeline muſt feel; while Lord Weſt- haven, knowing that to her whom he thus inſulted with the diſtant offer of fifty or an hundred pounds, he really was accountable for the income of an eſtate of four thouſand five hundred a year, for near nineteen years, and that he ſtill withheld that eſtate from her, could hardly contain his indignation even before his wife; whom he loved too well not to wiſh to conceal froin her the ill opinion he could not help.conceiving of her father. Emmeline, who was far from feeling that degree of pain which Lady Weſthaven con- cluded muſt penetrate her heart, was yet unwilling to ſhew that the actually received VOL. IV. with 74 E M M E LI-NE, .. . with pleaſure (tho' ſomewhat allayed by Lord Montreville's coldneſs) an emancipa- tion from her engagement. Of her parti- álity to Godolphin, her friend had no idea; for Emmeline, too conſcious of it to be able to converſe about him without fearing to betray herſelf, had ſtudiouſly avoided talk: ing of him after their firſt meeting; and ſbe now imagined that Lady Weſthaven, paf- fionately fond of her brother as ſhe was; would think her indifference affected thro? pique; and carried too far, if ſhe did not receive the intelligence of their eternal ſe- paration with ſome degree of concern. Theſe thoughts gave her an air of vexation and embarraſſment which would have ſaved her the trouble of diſſimulation had ſhe been an adept in it's practice. Extremely har- rafled and out of ipirits before, tears now, in ſpite of her internal ſatisfaction, and per-, haps partly ariſing from it, filled her eyes ; while Lady Weſthaven, who was greatly more hurt, exclaimed- :“ My brother then marries Miſs Otley! “ After all I have heard him fay, I thought “ it impoffible !" . . 46 He . i THE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE. 75 .66 He will however, I doubt not, be w happy," anſwered Emmeline.. The 56 ſatisfaction of having made Lord and * Lady Montreville completely happy, 66 muſt greatly contribute to his being fo 16 himſelf.” is :16 Heaven grant it?” replied Lady Weit- haven. “ Poor Frederic ! he thirows away “ an invaluable bleſſing! Whether he will, “ in any other, find confolation, Í greatly « doubt. But however changed his heart “ may be, my deareſt Emmeline,” added fhe, tenderly embracing her, " I think I " can venture to aſſure you that thoſe of “. Lord Weſthaven and your Auguſta, will, ci towards you, ever be the faine." Emmeline now wiſhed to put an end to à converſation which Lady Weſthaven ſeemed hardly able to ſupport; and ſhe lan- guiſhed herſelf to be alone. Forcing there- fore a ſmile, tho’the tears ſtill fell from her eyes, ſhe ſaid" My dear friends, tho’I expected this long ago, yet I beg you " to conſider that being but a woman, and “ of courſe vain, 'my pride is a er wounded, and I muſt recollect all your D 2 66 kindneſs, 52 E M M E LI NE. ii. “ kindneſs, to put me in good humour “ again with myſelf. Do not let the Che- " valier follow me; for I am not diſpoſed “ to hear any thing this evening, after theſe ſweeteſt and moſt conſoling afſur- * ances of your ineſtimable friendſhip. 36 Therefore I ſhall take Madelon with me, « and go for a walk.” She then left the room, Lady Weſthaven not attempting to detain her; and her Lord, vexed to ſee his gentle Auguſta thus uneaſy, remained with her, pointing out to her the faireſt proſpects of eſtabliſhment for hier beloved Emmeline ; tho'he thought the preſent an improper opportunity to open to her his knowledge of thoſe circumſtances of her friend's fortune, which, without ſuch conſpicuous merit, could hardly fail of ob- taining it. To go to a great diſtance from the houſe, alone, Emmeline had not courage ; to ſtay near it, ſubjected her to the intruſion and importunity of the Chevalier. She there- fore determined to take Madelon, whoſe preſence would be ſome protection without any interruption to her thoughts. She had wiſhed, THE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE wilhed, ever ſince her arrival at St. Alpin, to viſit the borders of the lake of Geneva, which ſhe had yet only ſeen at the diſtance of a mile and an half. Madelon, alert and ſprightly, undertook to ſhew her the plea- ſanteſt way, and led her thro’a narrow path, croſſing a hill covered with broom and coppice wood, into a dark and gloomy wood of fir, cypreſs, and cheſnut, that ex- tended to the edge of the water; froin which it was in ſome places ſeparated by Focks pointing out into the lake, while in others the trees grew almoſt in the water, and dipped their extremities in the limpid waves beneath them.' Madelon informed Emmeline that this was the place where the ſervants of the caſtle affembled to dance of an holyday, in the ſhade ; and where boats uſually landed that came from the other ſide of the lake. The ſcene, foftened into more penſive beauty by the approach of a warm and ſe- rene evening, had every thing in it that could charm and ſoothe the mind of the lovely orphan. But her internal feelings were at this time too acute to ſuffer her to attend W D 3 78. EMMELIN E, DE attend to outward circumſtances. She wiſhed only for tranquillity and filence, to collect her thoughts; and bidding Madelon find herſelf a ſeat, ſhe went a few yards into the wood, and ſat down on the long graſs, where even Madelon might not remark her, The events of the two laſt days appeared to be viſions rather than realities. From being an indigent dependant on the bounty of a relation, whoſe caprice or avarice might leave her entirely deſtitute, ſhe was at once found to be heirefs to an extenſive pro- perty. From being bound down to marry, if he pleaſed, a man for whom ſhe felt only fifterly regard, and who had thrown her from him in the violence of unreaſonable jealouſy and gloomy fufpicion, ſhe was now at liberty to indulge the affections She had fo long vainly reſiſted, and to think, with- out preſent ſelf-accufation or the danger of future repentance, ' of Godolphin. In imagination, the already beheld him avow- ing that tenderneſs which he had before generouſly ſtruggled to conceal. She ſaw him, who ſhe believed would have taken her without fortune, receiving in her eſtate, the THE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE. 19 the means of beſtowing happineſs, and the power of indulging his liberal and noble fpirit. She ſaw the tender, unhappy Ade- lina, reconciled to life in contemplating the felicity of her dear William; and Lord Weſthaven, to whom ſhe was fo much obliged, glorying in the good fortune of a brother ſo deſervedly beloved; while ſtill Calling her excellent and lovely friend Au- gulta by the endearing appellation of liſter, the faw her forget, in the happineſs of Go- dolphin, the concern ſne had felt for De- Jamere.:s. ..::: : : Froin this delicious dream of future bliſs, ſhe was awakened ſomewhat ſuddenly by Madçion ; who running towards her, told her that a boat, in which there appeared to be ſeveral men, was pointing to land juſt where ſhe had been ſitting, Emme- line, wearied as ſhe was with the Chevalier's gallantry; immediately ſuppoſed it to be hiin, and the knew he was out on the lake. She therefore advanced a ſtep or two to look. It was ſo nearly dark that ſhe could only diftinguiſh a man ſtanding in the boat, whoſe figure appeared to be that of Beloa zane; 56 : EMMELINE, zane; and taking Madelon by the arm, the haſtily ſtruck into the wood, to avoid him by returning to St. Alpin before he ſhould perceive her. " . . She had hardly walked twenty paces, when ſhe heard the boat put on ſhore, and two or three perſons leap out of it. Still hoping, however, to get thro’the wood be- fore Bellozane could overtake her, the alınoſt ran with Madelon. But fomebody feemned to purſue them. Her cloaths were white; and ſhe knew, that notwithſtanding the evening was ſo far ſhut in, and the path obſcured by trees, ſhe muſt yet be diſtin. guiſhed gliding between their branches The perfons behind gained upon her, and her pace quickened as her alarm encreaſed; for ſhe now apprehended ſomething yet more diſagreeable than being overtaken by Bellozane. Suddenly ſhe heard " Arre- . - tez, arretez, Meſdames! de grace dites “ moi fi: vous etes de la famille du Baron de “ St. Alpin?"* . , :;.. ...* Stay, ſtay a moment, ladies! Have the goodneſs to tell me whether you belong to the family of the L'aron de St. Alpin? : : . The THE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE. 57. 3. The firſt word of this fentence ſtopped che flying Emmeline, and fixed her to the ſpor where ſhe ſtood.: It was the voice of Godolphin-Godolphin himſelf was before her! *'*;:in itati : The ſuddenneſs of his appearance quité overcame her, breathleſs as ſhe was before from haſte and fear; and finding that to ſupport herſelf was impoſſible, ſhe ſtaggered towards a tree which grew on the edge of the path, but would have fallen if Godol- phin had 'not caught her in his arms. '. - He did this merely from the impulſe of his natural gallantry' and good nature. What were his tranſports, when he found that the fugitive whom he had undeſignedly alarmed by aſking a direction to St Alpin, was his adored Emineline; and that the Hovely object whoſe idea, ſince their first meeting, had never a moment been abfene from it, he now preſſed to his throbbing heartInſtantly terrified, however, to find her ſpeechleſs and almoſt inſenſible, he or- dered the ſervant who followed him to run back for ſome water; and ſeating her gently on the ground, he threw himſelf down by DS her 82. 1 EM ME LINEysnina. her and fupported her; while Madelon, wringing her hands, called on her aimable, her belle maitreſſes and was too much fright- ened to give her any affiſtance. iiniirii : Before the man returned with the watery her recollection was reſtored, and the ſaid, faintly + Mr. Godolphin! Is it poffible?” ,-: "Lovelieſt Miſs Mowbray, how thought- 5 Jeſsly have I alarmed you! Can you “ forgive me?”...! ! w " Ah!” cried ſhe, diſengaging herſelf from his ſupports how came you here, and from whence?!! Lol! . Godolphin, without confidering, and almoſt without knowing what he ſaid, re- plied. I come from Lord Delamere.”. i “ From Lord Delamere!” exclaimed ſhe, in amazement. « Is he not in Lon- .don then ?ris he not married !!!. . “ No; I overtook him at Beſançon; 4 where he lies ill very ill.!”... 11:11 -1.66 11!:!" repeated Emmeline.-" Hl, and " at Beſançon !--merciful heaven!" ; ** She now again relapſed almoſt into inſen- fibility : for at the mention of Godolphin's having overtaken him, and having left him ill, THE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE. 83 ill, a thoufand terrific and frightful images crouded into her minds but the predomi- nant idea was, that it was on her account they had mer, and that Delamere's illneſs was a wound in conſequence of that meet- ing.'; *:.. ", rii, That ſuch an imagination ſhould poſſeſs her, Godolphin had no means of knowing, He therefore very naturally concluded that the violent ſorrow which the expreſſed, on hearing of Delamere's illneſs, aroſe from her love towards him; and, in ſuch a con- cluſion, he found the ruin of thofe hopes he had of late fondly cherished. -66 Happy, happy Delamere !” ſaid he, fighing to himſelf.mm.66 Her firſt affection's * were his, and never will any fecondary “ tenderneſs ſuperfède that early impreſſion. “ Alas! his rejection of her has not been (6 able to efface it-For me, there is no- : 66 thing to hope ! and while I thus hold 5 her to my heart, I have loſt her for ever! “ I came not hither, however, ſolely on & my own account, but rather to ſave ** from pain, her and thoſe ſhe loves.. 'Tis 6 not then of myſelf I ain to think.'. ' D6 While 60 EM MELLAN E25!!? . Wlile theſe reflections pafled thro; his mind, he remained ſilent ; and Emmeline concluded that his ſilence was owing to the truth of her conjecture. The grief of Lady Weſthaven for her brother, the deſpair of Lord Montreville: for his fon, preſented theinſelves to her mind; and the contémp, tuous return of her promiſe, which a few hours before ſhe thought of with reſentment; was now forgotten in regret för his illneſs and pity for his ſufferings. : ... w! ..." Ah!” cried ſhe, trying to riſe, “what 6. ſhall I ſay to Lady Weſthaven How 4. diſcloſe to her ſuch intelligence as this?" “ It was to prevent her hearing it. « abruptly,” ſaid Godolphin, " that I came " myſelf, rather than ſent by a meſſenger " ora lecter, ſuch diſtreſſing intelligence." So ſtrongly had the idea of a duel be- tween them taken poffeffion of the mind of Emmeline, that the had no courage to afk particulars of his illneſs; and ſhuddering with horror at the ſuppoſition that the hand Godolphin held out to aſſiſt her was ſtained with the blood of the unfortunate Delamere, The drew her's haſtily and almoſt involun- tarily THE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE. 61 tarily from him; and taking again Made. lon's arm, attempted to haſten towards home T 2T12:111, in jurul !!!, But the ſcene of anguiſh and terror which ſhe muſt there encounter with Lady Weft- haven, the diſtreſs and vexation of her Lord, and the miſery of believing that Go- dolphin had made himſelf for ever hateful to all her own family, and that if her couſin died the could never again behold him but with regret and anguiſh, were altogether reflections ſo overwhelming, and fo much more than her harraſſed ſpirits were able to fuſtain," that after tottering about fifty yards; ſhe was compelled to ſtop, and gaſping for breath, to accept the offered aſſiſtance of Godolphini Strongly prepoffefſed with the idea of her affection for Delamere, he lan- guidly and mournfully lent it. He had no longer courage to ſpeak to her ; yet wiſhed to take meaſures for preventing Lady Weſtin haven's being ſuddenly alarmed by his appearance; and he feared, that not his- appearanceonly, but his countenance,would tell her that he came not thither to impart tidings of happineſs. in i siin? 86 E'MMEL IN É;"!! · It was now quite dark; and the flow pace in which only Emmeline could walk had not yet carried them thro' the wood. The agitation of Einmeline encreaſed. She wiſhed yet dreaded to know the particulars of Delamere's ſituation; and unable to ſum- mons courage to enquire into it, iſhe pro- ceeded mournfully along, almoſt borne by Godolphin and Madelon; who underſtand- ing nothing of what had been ſaid, and not knowing who the gentleman was who had thus frightened her miſtrets, was her- felf almost as much in diſmay... After a long pauſe, Emmeline, in faul- tering accents, aſked if the ſituation of 6, Lord Delamere was abſolutely deſpe. “ rate?" : : : .." I hope and believe not,” ſaid Godol. phin. “When I left him, at leaſt, there 56 were hopes of a favourable iſſue?" . .. Ah! wherefore did you leave him? 46.Why not ſtay at leaſt to ſee the event ?"! ". Becauſe he fo earneſtly deſired that his 56. fifter might know of his fituation, and “ that I only might acquaint her with it « and preſs her to go to him."..so .simos - She THE ORPHAN. OF THE CASTLE. 87 " She will need no entreaties. Poor, « poor Delamere!"-ſighing deeply, Em- meline again became filent. ' itin They were to mount a ſmall hill, which was between the wood they had left and the grounds immediately ſurrounding St. Alpin, which was extremely ſteep and rugged. Before ſhe reached the top, ſhe was quite exhauſted. ::“ I believe,” ſaid ſhe, “ I muſt again 56 reſt before I can proceed.” · She fat down on a bank formed by the roots of the trees which ſuſtained the earth, on the ědge of the narrow path. Godolphin, exceſſively alarmed at her weakneſs and dejection, which he ftill at- tributed to the anguiſh ſhe felt for Dela- mere, ſat by her, hardly daring to breathe himſelf, while he liſtened to her ſhort re- ſpiration, and fancied he heard the violent palpitation of her heart. “ And how long do you think,” ſaid ſhe, again recurring to Delamere " how long “ may he linger before the event will be known ?”........... .. " I really hope, and I think I am not i (6 too le 64" ?È M'MELI NÈ; "? << too fanguine, that the fever will have « left him before we fee him again." istirol ** The fever!" repeated Emmeline chas he à fever then ?". mabad - 2 Yes,” replied Godolphin—"' I thought “ I told you that a fever was his complaint. • But had you not better, my dear Madam, * think a little of yourſelf? Il as you ap- “ pear to be, I fee not how you are to get “ home unleſs you will fuffer me to go on " and procure ſome kind of conveyance “ for you.” " I ſhall do very well,” anſwered the, i as I am, if you will only tell me about “ Lord Delamere. He has only a fever »» "And is it not enough,” ſaid Godol- phin. « Tho', were I Lord Delamere, I < fhould think an illnefs that called forth “ in my favour the charming ſenſibility of “ Miſs Mowbray, the happieſt event of my life.” Having ſaid this, he fell into a profound ſilence. The certainty of her affection for Delamere deprived him of all ſpirits when he moſt wanted to exert them. Yet it was neceffary to take ſome meaſures for intro- ducing .in THE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE. 65 ducing himſelf at St. Alpin without alarming Lady Weſthaven, and to conſider how he was to account to his brother for Delamere's eſtrangement from Emmeline ; and while he canvaſſed theſe and many other perplex- ities, Emmeline, who was relieved froin the moſt diſtreſſing of her apprehenſions, and dared not for the world reveal what thoſe apprehenſions had been, in ſome de, gree recovered herſelf; and growing anxi- ous for Lady Weſthaven, ſaid the believed ſhe could now walk home. As ſhe was about to ariſe with an inten- tion to attempt it, they heard the found of approaching voices, and almoſt imme- diately lights appeared above the hill, while “Mademoiſelle ! - Miſs Mowbray! - “ Madelon !--Madelon!"-was frequently and loudly repeated by the perſons who carried them. ..., “ The Baron and Lord Weſthaven," faid Emmeline,“ alarmed at my being out “ ſo late, have ſent perſons in ſearch of me." .. Her conjecture was right. In a moment the Chevalier, with a flambeau in his hand, was before them; who, when he found Emmeline GÓ EMMELINE," Emmeline ſitting in ſuch a place, ſupported by a young man whom he had never before feen, was at once amazed and diſpleaſed: There was no time for explanation. Lord Weſthaven immediately followed him; and after ſtopping a moment to conſider whe- ther the figure of Godolphin which rofe be- fore him was not an illufion, he flew eagerly into his arms. .. · The manly eyes of both the brothers were filled with tears. Lord Weſthaven had not ſeen Godolphin for four years; and, ſince their laſt parting, they had loſt their father. After a ſhort pauſe, his Lordſhip intro. duced: Godolphin to Bellozane; and then taking the cold and trembling hand of Em meline, who leaned languidly on Madelon; he ſaid , c. .. : “ And you, my lovely couſin, for whoſe 56 ſafety we have been above an hour in " the cruelleſt alarm, where did you find " William, and by what extraordinary “ chançe, are ye here together?”.... - Emmeline with great difficulty found voice enough to explain their accidental meeting. And: Bellozane obſerving her apparent THE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE. go apparent faintneſs, faid " you ſeem, “ Mademoiſelle, to be extremely fatigued. " Pray allow me the honour of giving you « my arm." « If you pleaſe,” ſaid ſhe, in a low voice. And fuppoſing that Godolphin would be glad to have foine converſation with his brother, ſhe accepted his aſiſtance and pro- ceeded. This preference, however, of Bellozane, Godolphin imputed to her coldneſs or dif- like towards himfelf; and fo ſtruck was he with the cruel idea, that it was not without an effort he recollected himſelf enough to relate to his brother, as they walked, all that it was neceſſary for him to know. Lord Weſthaven, anxious for a life ſo precious to his wife and her family as was that of Lord Delamere, deterinined immediately to go to him. At preſent it was neceſſary to re- veal as tenderly as poſſible his ficuation to his: liſter, Lady Weſthaven; and firſt to diſſipate the uneaſineſs ſhe had ſuffered from the long abſence of Emmeline."; " CHAP E M M E LINE, *?, Mother HAP TER IV :: riwind ;.. T ORD Weſthaven firſt entered the L room where his wife was, whoſe alarming apprehenſions at Emmeline's long ſtay were by this time extreme. « Our Emmeline is returned, my love,” ſaid he," and has met with no accident." Lady Weſthaven eagerly embracing her, reproached her tenderly for her long ab: ſence. But then obſerving how pale ſhe looked, and the fatigue and oppreſſion ſhe ſeemed to ſuffer, her Ladyſhip ſaid « Surely you have been frightenedor " you are ill? You look fo faint." - She is a little ſurpriſed,” interrupted Lord Weſthaven, feeing her ſtill unable to anſwer for herſelf. .“ She has brought us a viſitor whom we did not expect. My “ brother Godolphin landed juſt as the * was returning home." At this intelligence Lady Weſthaven could expreſs only pleaſure. She had never ſeen THE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE. 69 Teen Godolphin, who was now introduced, and received with every token of regard by her Ladyſhip, as well as by the Baron and Mrs. St. Alpin; who beheld with pleaſure another ſon of their filter, and beheld him an honour to their family. Belložane, however, ſaw his arrival with leſs ſatisfaction. He remembered that En. meline had been, as ſhe had told him, well acquainted with Godolphin in England; and recollected that whenever he had been ſpoken of, ſhe had always done juſtice to his merit, yet rather evaded than fought the converſation. Her extraordinary agi- tation on his arrival, which was ſuch as diſabled her from walking home, ſeemed much greater than could have been created by the ſight of a mere acquaintance; his figure was ſo uncommonly handſome, his couintenance ſo intereſting, and his addreſs fuch a fortunate mixture of dignity and ſoftneſs, that Bellózane, vain as he was, could not but acknowledge his perſonal merit; and began to fear that the coldneſs and inſenſibility of Emmeline, which he had, till now, ſuppoſed perſeverance would vanquiſh, m 94 EM ME LINE, vanquilh, were leſs occafioned by her af- fected blindneſs to his own perfections, thart by her prepoſſeſſion in favour of another. Whatever internal diſpleaſure this idea of rivalry gave the Chevalier, he overwhelmed Godolphin with profeſſions of regard and eſteem, not the leſs warm for being wholly inſincere. . . . . '' But Godolphin, who faw,in the encreaſing dejection of Enımeline, only a confirmation' of her attachment to Delamere, drooped in hopeleſs deſpondence. Emmeline, unable to ſupport herſelf, retired early to her room; and Godolphin, complaining of fatigue, was conducted to his by Bellozane; while Lord Welthaven meditated how to diſcloſe to his wife, wichout too much diſtreſſing her, the illneſs of her brother. He thought, that as ſhe had ſuffered a good deal of vexation in the courſe of the day, as well as terror at Einmeline's abſence at ſo late an hour in the evening, he would defer till the next morning this unwelcome intelligence. As i foon, however, as ſhe was retired, he com- municated to his uncle and aunt the ſitua- ţion of Lord Delamere, and the neceſſity . there THE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE. 95 there was for their quitting St. Alpin the next day, to attend him; an account which they both heard with ſincere regret. Mrs. Sci Alpin heartily willied Lord Delamere was with her, being perſuaded the could immediately cure him with remedies of her own preparing; while the Baron expreſſed his vexation and regret to find the viſit of his nephews ſo much ſhortened. · Lord Weſthaven went to his own apart- ment in great uneaſineſs. He heard from his brother, that Lord Delamere, repenting of his renunciation of Emmeline,' was coming to St. Alpin, when illneſs ſtopped him at Beſançon. He knew not how to act about her; who, heireſs to a large for: tune, was of ſo much more conſequence than ſhe had been hitherto ſuppoſed. He had a long contention in view with Lord Montreville; and was now likely to be em- barraſſed with the paſſion of Delamere, if he recovered, (who would certainly expect his influence over Emmeline to be exerted to obtain his pardon); or if the event of his illneſs ſhould prove fatal, he dreaded the ..... . m ., anguiſh 72 : EMMELINE, anguiſh of Lady Weſthaven and the deſpair of the whole family. He was beſides hurt at that melancholy and unhappy appearance, ſo unlike his former manners, which he had obſerved in Godolphin ; and for which, ignorant of his paſſion for Emmeline, he knew not how to account. His ſhort converſation with him had cleared up no part of the myſtery which he could not but perceive hung about the affairs of Lady Adelina; and he only knew enough to diſcover that ſoinething remained which it would probably pain him to know thoroughly. The pillow of Emmeline alſo was ſtrewn svith thorns. For tho' the ſharpeſt of them was removed, by having heard that Dela- mere was ill without having ſuffered from the event of any diſpute in which he might on her account have engaged, ſhe was ex- tremely unhappy that he had, in purſuit of her, come to France, which ſhe now con- cluded muſt be the caſe, and ſorry for the diſquiet which ſhe forefaw muft ariſe from his indiſpoſition and his love. . She was ſure that Lady Weſthaven would immediately was THE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE. 53 immediately fly to her brother. And in that event how was the herſelf to act? .1 i. Could ſhe ſuffer her generoas, her tender friend, to whom ſhe was fo inuch obligeci, to encounter alone all the fatigue and anxi- ety to which the ſickneſs and danger of this beloved brother would probably expoſe her Yet could ſhe ſubmit to the appear- ance of ſeeking a man who had ſo lately re- nounced her for ever, with coldneſs, con- tempt, and inſult? If ſhe went not with Lady Weſthayen, ſhe had no choice but that of travelling acroſs France alone, to rejoin Mrs. Stafford; ſince ſhe could not remain with propriety a moment at St. Al- pin, with the Chevalier de Bellozane ; whoſe addreſſes The never meant to encourage, and whoſe importunate paſſion perſecuted and diſtreſſed her. Godolphin too!-whi- ther would Godolphin go? Could the go where he was, and conceal her partiality ? or could ſhe, by accompanying him to Be-' fançon, plunge another dagger in the heart of Delamere, and thew him, not only that he had loſt that portion of her regard he · Vola IV, : E h , had 74 : EMMELINE, had once poffeſſed, but that all her love was now given to another. That ſhe was moſt partial to Godolphin, the could no longer attempt to conceal from herſelf. The moment her fears that he had met Delamere hoftilely were re- moved, all her tenderneſs for him returned with new force. She again law all the merit, all the nobleneſs of his character; but ſhe ſtill tormented herſelf with uneaſy .conjectures as to the cauſe of his journey to Switzerland; and wearied herſelf with con- Lidering, how ſhe ought to act, 'till towards morning, when falling, thro' mere fatigue and laſſitude, into a ſhort ſlumber, The faw multiplied and exaggerated, in dreains, the dreadful images which had diſturbed her waking; and Itarting up in terror, deter- mined no more to attempt to ſleep. It was now day break s and wrapping herſelf in her muſlin morning gown and cloak, ſhe went down into the garden of Mrs. St. Al- pin, where, ſeated on a bench, under a row of tall walnut trees which divided it from the vineyard, ſhe leaned her head againſt one of them; and loſt in reflections on the i ſtrangeneſs THE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE. 75 . Atrañgeneſs of her fate, and the pain of her ſituation, ſhe neither faw or heard any thing around her. 'a Godolphin, in the anxiety ſhe had ex: preſſed for Delamere, believed he ſaw a confirmation of his fears; which had always been that the early impreſſion he had inade on her heart would be immoveable, and that neither his having renounced her or his raſh and heedleſs temper would prevent her continuing to love him. Wretched in this idea, he concluded all hopes of obtain- ing her regard for ever at an end ; while every hour's experience of his own feelings, whether he thought of or faw her, con- vinced him that his love, however deſperate, was incurable. Accuſtomed to fatigue, all that he had endured the day before could not reſtore to him that repoſe which was driven away by theſe reflections. Almoſt as foon as he ſaw it was light, he left his room, and with leſs intereſt than he would once have taken in ſuch a ſurvey, wandered over the antique apartments of the paternal houſe of his mother. He then went down into the garden; and mufinig rather than obſerving, 6 8 M M E L IN F, obſerving, paffed along the ſtrait walk that went between the walnut trees into the vineyard. At the end of it he turned, and, in coming again towards the houſe, faw Emineline ſitting on the bench beneath them, who had not ſeen him the firſt time he paſſed her, but who now appeared fur- priſed at his approach. She had not, however, time to riſe before he went up to her, and bowing gravely, enquired how ſhe did after the alarm he had been ſo unfortunate as to give her the evening before? “ I fear,” ſaid he, ſeating himſelf by her, “ that Miſs Mowbray is yet indif. “ poſed from her late walk and my incon- 6 ſiderate addreſs to her. I know not how " to forgive myſelf for my indiſcretion, " ſince it has diſtreſſed you." . * “ Such intelligence as I had the misfor- “ tuneofhearing, Sir, of the brother of Lady “ Weſthaven-a brother ſo dear to her “ could hardly fail of affecting me. I •ó ſhould have been concerned had a ſtran- ir ger been ſo circumſtanced; but whenco." 66 Ah! THE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE. 17 • “Ah! Madam,” interrupted Godolphin, “ you need not repeat all the claims which “ give the fortunate Delamere a right to “ your favour. But do not ſuffer yourteif, " on his account to be ſo extremely alarmed. " I hope the danger is by no means to “ great as to make his recovery hopeleis. " Since of thoſe we love, the moſt minute ss account is not tedious, and ſince it may, « perhaps, alleviate your apprehenſions “ for his fafety, will you allow me to re- “ late all I know of his illneſs? It will en- gage me, perhaps, in a detail of our firſt " acquaintance, and carry me back to cir- cumſtances which I would wiſh to for- 6 get, if your gratification was not in my “ mind a confideration ſuperior to every 6 other.” - Emmeline, trembling, yet wiſhing to hear all, could not refule. She bowed in ſilence; and Godolphin conſidering that as an affent, reaſſumed his diſcourſe. . “ Soon after I had the happineſs of fee-- ing you laſt, my wiſh to einbrace Lady Clancarryl and her family(from whoſe hone E 3 I had 8 E M M E LINE, . . I had been long obliged to abſent myſelf becauſe Mr. Fitz-Edward was with them) carried me to Ireland; and to my aſtoniſh- ment I there mer Lord Delainere. . 46 The relationſhip between their fami- lies, made my ſiſter anxiouſly invite hirn to Lough Carryl. Thither reluctantly he came; and an accident informed him that I had the good fortune, by means of Lady Adelina Trelawny, to be known to you.' ." He did me the honour to fhew me particular attention; and the morning after he found I had the happineſs of being ac- quainted with Miſs Mowbray, he took oe- caſion, when we were alone, to aſk me, abruptly, whether I knew Colonel Fitz-Ed- ward I anſwered that I certainly did, by the connection in our families; and that he was once my moſt intimate friend. " He then unreſervedly, and with ve- hemence ſaid, that Fitz-Edward was a vila, lain ! Aſtoniſhed and hurt at an affertion which (how true foever it might be) I thought alluded to that unhappy affair which I hoped was a fecret, I eagerly aſked an in ' explanation THE OR PA AN OF THE CASTLE. 797 explanation. But judge, Miſs Mowbíray, of the aſtoniſhment, the pain, with which 1 heard him impute to you the error of my unfortunate Adelina-when I faw him take out three anonymous letters, one of which I found had haftened his return from France, purporting that Fitz-Edward had availed himſelf of his abfence to win your affections, that he had taken, of thoſe af fections, the moſt ungenerous advantage, and that on going to a place named (which I remembered to be the houſe where my little William was murſed,) he might himſelf fee an unequivocal proof of your fatal attach- ment and Fitz-Edward's perfidy. .. . « When I had read theſe odious letters, and liftened to ſeveral circumſtances he re- ; lated, which confirmed in his apprehenſion the truth of the affertions they contained, he went on to inform me, that following this cruel information, he had ſeen you with the infant in your arms; had bitterly re- proached you, and then had quitted you for ever!..But as he could not reſt without trying to puniſh the infainous conduct of Fitz-Edward, he had purſued him to Ire- E 4 land, - EMMEL INI, TE land, where, inſtead of finding him, he heard that he was gone to France, undoubt- i edly to meet you, by your own appoint- inent; but as. Lord Clancarryl ſtill ex- pected him back, he determined to wait a little longer, in hopes of an opportunity of diſcuſſing with him the ſubjects of com- plaint he had related.. . “ Tho' I immediately ſaw what I ought to do, aſtoniſhment for a moment kept me filent, and in that moment we were inter- rupted. ." This delay, however unwelcome, gave me time for reflection. Lord Delamere was to go the ſame day from Lough Carrył to Dublin. I reſolved to follow him thither, and relate the whole truth; ſince I would by no means ſuffer your generous and ex- alted friendſhip for my filter to ſtain the lovely purity of a character which only the malice of fiends could delight in blaſt- ing, only the blind and infatuated raſhneſs of jealouſy a moment. believe capable of blemiſh! Many reaſons induced me, how- ever, to delay this neceſſary explanation ’sill I fizw him at his own lodgings. Thi- thier THE ORPHÁN OF THE CASTLE. 81 *ther I followed him, two days after he de- parted from Lough Carryl. But on en- quiring for him, was ſurpriſed and mortified to find that he had received letters from England which had induced him immedi- ately to return thither, and that he had failed in the pacquet for Holyhead the day after his arrival at Dublin." Emmeline, aſtoniſhed at the inalice which appeared to have been exerted againſt her, reinained' filent; but in ſuch tremor, that it was with difficulty the continued to hear him. . . . . "I now, therefore, relinquished all thoughts of returning to the houſe of my fil- ter, and followed him by the firſt conveyance that offered, greatly; apprehending, that if the letters he had received gave him notice of Fitz-Edward's return to London, my in- terpoſition would be too late to prevent their meeting. I knew the haſty and in- conſiderate Delamere would, without an, ex- planation, fo conduct himſelf towards Fitz- Edward, that neither his fpirit or his pro- feffion would permit him to bear; and that if they met, the conſequence muſt, to one of E 5 them, ce 82 M E L IN E, E M them, be fatal. : I was impatient too to reſa cize your name, Madam, from the unmerited aſperſions which it borë. But when I ar: rived in London, and haſtened to Berkley- ſquare, I heard that Lord and Lady Mon- treville, together with Lady Frances Crofts, her huſband, and Lord Delamere, had gone all together to Audley Hall, immediately after his return from Ireland. Thither, therefore, I went alſo.”.. . . . " Generous, conſiderate Godolphin!" fighed Emmeline to herſelf. .“ Tho' related, by my brother's mar. riage, to the family of the Marquis of Mona treville, I was a ſtranger to every member of it but Lord Delamere. He was gone to dine out; and in the reſt of the family I obſerved an air of happineſs and triumph, which Lord Montreville informed me was occafioned by the marriage which was in- tended foon to take place between his ſon and Mifs Otley; whofe immenſe fortune, and near relationſhip to his inother's family, kad made ſuch a marriage particularly de- fircable. I was glad to hear he was likely to be happy; but it was not therefore the . . leſs THE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE. 83 leſs neceſſary to clear up the evil into which he had fallen. On his coming home, he appeared pleaſed and ſurpriſed to ſee me; but I ſaw in his looks 'none of that ſatisfac- tion which was ſo evident in thoſe of the reſt of the houſe. Por isson* , : " As ſoon as we were alone, he faid to mer You ſee me, Mr. Godolphin, at "-length taken in the toils. · Iminediately after leaving Lough Carryl, I received a sletter from a perſon in London, whom I had employed for that purpoſe, wliich informed me that he heard, at the office of the agent to Fitz-Edward's regiment, (that he was certainly to be in town in a 4 few days. He named, indeed, the exact time; and I, who imagined that pains, had been taken to keep us fron meeting, determined to return to England inftantly, that he might not again avoid ine. On reaching' London, however, I found that the intelligence I had received was wholly unfounded, and originated in the ? miſtake of a clerk in the agent's office: None knew where Fitz-Edward was, or when he would return; and though I E 6 wrote 84 : EMMELIN E,',in wrote to enquire at Rouen, where I ima gined the reſidence of Miſs Mowbray might induce him to remain, I have yet had no anſwer. The entreaties and tears of iny mother prevailed on me to come s down hither; and reckleſs of what be- r.comes of me, fince Emmeline is undoubt- edly loſt to me for ever, I have yielded to the remonftrance of my father and the prayers of my mother, and have conſented to marry a woman whom I cannot love. Let not Fitz-Edward, however, imagine, (vehemently and fiercely he fpoke) that . he is with impụnity to eſcape; and that • tho' my vengeance may be delayed, I can forgive the man who has baſely robbed 'me of her whom I could love-whom I did love-even to madneſs!'. : ...,?!?!? “Jown to you, Madam, that when I found this unfortunate young man had put into his father's hands the promiſe you had given him, and that it was returned to you, I felt at once pity for him, and-hope for inyfelf, which, 'til then, I had never dared to indulge....... sys t -Godolphin had never been thuis explicit before." THE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE. 85 before. Pale as death, and deprived of the power as well as of the inclination to inter- rupt him, Emmeline awaited, in breathleſs filence, the cloſe of this extraordinary nar- rative. , '; ?! .. ... ;.; . 56 It was now," reaffumed he, te iny turn to fpeak. And truſting to his honour for his ſilence about my unhappy fifter, I revealed to him the whole truth. I at once cleared, your character from unjuſt blame, and, I hope, did juſtice to thoſe exalted vir- tues to which I owe ſo much. I will not fhock your gentle and generous boſom with a relation of the wild plirenzy, the agonies of regret and repentance, into which this re- lation threw Lord Delamere; and concerned at the confuſion his reproaches and his an- guilh had occaſioned to the whole family, I lamented that I could not explain to them what I had faid to bim, which had produced ſo ſudden a change in his ſentiments about you. To ſuch women as the Marchioneſs of Montreville and her daughter, I could not relate the unhappineſs of my poor Ade- lina; and Delamere ſteadily refuſed to tell them how he became convinced of your in- nocence, 86 ; EM ME LINE, this nocence, and the wicked arts which had been uſed to miſlead him; which he openly imputed to the family of the Crofts'. againſt whoin his fiery and vindictive ſpirit turned all the rage it had till now cheriſhed againſt Fitz-Edward. s i fondi “ The Marquis, tho' extremely hurts had yet candour enough to own, that if I was convinced that the cauſes of complaint which his ſon had againſt you were ill founded, I had done well in removing themi Yet I ſaw that he wilhed I had been leſs anxious for the vindication of innocence and he beheld, with an une:lfy and ſuſpicious eye, what he thought officious interference in the affairs of his family. I obſerved, tool, that he believed when the influence that he fuppoſed I had over the mind of Lord De- lamere was removed, he ſhould be able to bring him back to his engagements with Miſs Otley, which had, I found, been hur- ried on with the'utmoſt precipitation. The ladies, who had at firſt overwhelmed me with civilities,'now appeared ſo angry, that notwithſtanding Lord Delamere's entreaties that I would ſtay with him till he could de- termine THE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE. 89 termine how to act, I immediately returned to London; and froin thence, after paffing a week with Adelina, whom I had only ſeen for a few hours ſince my return from Ireland, I ſet out for St. Alpin." . “ But Lord Delamere, Sir?” ſaid Em- meline, inarticulately. :« Alas! Madam!” dejectedly continued Godolphin, “ I mean not to entertain you on what relates to myſelf; but to haften to that which I farther have to ſay of the fortu. nate Delamere! I waited a few days at Southampton for a wind; and then landing at Havre, proceeded to St. Germains, where Mrs. Stafford's laſt letters had informed Adelina ſhe was ſettled. I knew, too, that you were gone with my brother and Lady Weſthaven to St. Alpin. Mrs. Stafford had only the day before forwarded to you Lord Montreville's letter, which, by one from his Lordſhip to herſelf, the knew contained the promiſe you had given Lord Delamere. She ſaid, that this renunciation would give you no pain. She made me hope that your heart was not irrevocably his. Ah! why did 1 ſuffer ſuch illuſions to lead me on to this conviction! 88 EM ME IN EO conviction ! But pray forgive me, lovely Miſs Mowbray! I am ſtill talking of my- felf. From St. Germains I made as much hafte as poſſible to Beſançon. I rode poſt; and, juſt as I got off my horſe at the hotel, was accoſted by a French fervant, whom I knew belonged to Lord Delamere. . : " The min expreſſed great joy at ſeeing me, and befought me to go with him to his maſter, who, he ſaid, had, thro' fatigue and the heat of the weather, been ſeized with a fever, and was unable to proceed to St. Al- pin, whither he was going. "I was extremely concerned at his jour- ney; and, I hope, not ſo ſelfiſh as to be un- moved by his illneſs. I found, indeed, his fever very high, but greatly irritated and encreaſed by his impatience. As ſoon as he ſaw me, he told me that he was hurrying to St. Alpin, in hopes of obtaining your pår- don; that he had broke with Mifs Otley, and never would return to England till he carried you thither as his wife. " [ I am now well enough to go on, in- • deed Godolphin,' added he,' and if I can but ſee her! ': ... " 16 I was THE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE. 89 “ I was by no means of opinion that he was in a condition to travel. - His feveren- creaſed; after I left him in the evening, he grew delirious; and Millefleur, terrified, came to call me to him. I ſat up with him for the reſt of the night; and being accuf- tomed to attend invariably to the illneſs of men on ſhip board, I thought I might ven- ture, from my experience, to direct a change in the method which the phyſician he had ſent for. purſued. In a few hours he grew · better, and the delirium left him ; but he was then convinced that he was too weak to proceed on his journey. . ; ::.“ He knew I was coming hither, and he entreated me to haſten my departure. Go, my good friend,” ſaid he - ſend Auguſta to me. She will bring with her the generous, the forgiving angel, whom 4. my raſh folly has dared to injure! She will behold my penitence; and, if her par- don can be obtained, it will reſtore me to • life; but if I cannot ſee them if I lin- ger many days longer in ſuſpence, my illneſs muſt be fatal.' : " As I really did not think him in great danger, go E M M E LINE,' ipup danger, and ſaw every proper care was now taken of him, I determined to come on; not only becauſe I wiſhed to ſave Lady Weſtha- ven the pain of hearing of his illneſs by any other means, but becauſe He was proceeding, when a deep and convulfive figh from Emmeline made him look in her face, from which he had hitherto kept his eyes, (unable to bear the varying expreſſions it had (hewn of what he thought her concern for Delamere.) He now be- held her, quite pale, motionleſs, and to all appearance lifeleſs. Her fenfe of what the owed to the generofity of Godolphin; her: concern for Delamere; and the dread of thoſe contending paſſions which the foreſaw: would embitter her future life, added to the ſleepleſs night and fatigueing day ſhe had pafled, had totally overcome here : Godolphin flew for aſſiſtance. The ſervants were by this time up, and ran to her.' Among the firſt of thein was Le Limoſin, who expreſſed infinite anxiety and concern for her, and afliduouſly exerted himſelf in carrying her into the houſe; where the foon recovered, begged Gadolphin's pardon for the THE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE. 93 the trouble ſhe had given, and was going to her own room, led by Madelon, when Bellozane ſuddenly appeared, and offered his aſſutance, which Emmeline faintly de- clining, moved on. Godolphin, who could not bear to leave her in ſuch a ſtate, walked fowly by her, tho' ſhe liad refuſed his arm. The expreſ: fion of his countenance, while his eyes were eagerly fixed on her face, would have in- formed any one leſs intereſted than Bello. zane, of what paſſed in his heart; and the Chevalier ſurveyed him with looks of angry obſervation, which did not eſcape Emme- line, ill as ſhe was. On arriving, therefore, at the foot of the ſtaircaſe, the beſought, in Engliſh, Godolphin to leave her, which he inſtantly did. She then told the Chevalier that ſhe would by no means trouble him to attend her farther; and he, ſatisfied that na preference was ſhewn to his couſin, at leaſt in this inſtance, bowed, and returned with him into the room where they uſually af- fembled in a morning, and where they found Lord Weſthaven. : CHAP 1. 92. EMMELINE, .. ! CHAPTER V .. U IS Lordſhip told them that Lady 11 Weſthaven had been lefs alarmed at the account he had given her of Delamere than he had apprehended; and thac ſhe was preparing to begin their journey to- wards him immediately after breakfaſt. “ I muſt ſend,” continued he, “ Miſs « Mowbray to her ; who is, I underſtand, " already up and walking." ; Bellozane then informed his Lordſhip of what he knew of Emmeline. But Go. dolphin was ſilent: he dared not truſt himſelf with ſpeaking much of her; he dared not relate her illneſs, leaft the cauſe of it ſhould be enquired into, “ Does, 6 Miſs Mowbray go with my filter?" aſked he.. user . . . . . Á - That. I know not,” replied Lord Weſthaven. “ Auguſta will very reluc- 6 tantly go without her. Yet her ſituation *- in regard to Lord Delamere is ſuch”- He THE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE. 93 He ceaſed ſpeaking ; looked embarraſſed; and, ſoon after, the Chevalier quitting the room, before whom civility would not allow them to converſe long in Engliſh, and to whom his Lordſhip thought he had no right to reveal the real ſituation of Emmeline, while it yet remained unknown to others, he related to his brother the circumſtances of the diſcovery that had been made of her birth, and of her confe- quent claim to the Mowbray eſtate. Godolphin, who would, from the ob- fcureſt indigence, have choſen her in pre- ference to all other women, heard this account with pleaſure, only as ſuppoſing that independance might be grateful to her fenfibility, and affluence favourable to the liberality of her fpirit. But the ſatis- faction he derived from theſe reflections, was embittered and nearly deſtroyed, when he conſidered that her acquiring lo large a fortune would make her alliance eagerly fought by the 'very perſons who had before ſcorned and rejected her; and that all the family would unite in perſuading her to forgive Delamere, the more eſpecially as this 94 1. E' M M E LINE, ?. this would be the only ineans to keep in it the Mowbray eſtate, and to preclude- the neceflity of refunding the income which had been received for ſo many years, and which now ainounted to a great ſum of money. When the preffing inſtances of all her own fainily, and particularly of Lady Weſthaven, whom ſhe ſo tenderly loved, were added to the affection he be- lieved ſhe had invariably felt for Delamere, he thought it impoſſible that her pride, however it might have been piqued by the deſertion of her lover, could make any effort againſt a renewal of her engage- ment; and his own hopes, which he had never cheriſhed till he was convinced De. ļamere had given her up, and which had been weakened by her apparent affection for him, were by this laſt event again fo nearly annihilated, that, no longer con- ſcious he retained any, he fancied himfelf condemned ſtill to love, ferve, and adore the object of his paſſion, without making any effort to ſecure it's ſucceſs, or being permitted to appear otherwiſe than as her friend. He was vexed that he had been unguardo THE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE. 95 unguardedly explicit, in telling her that he had ever indulged thoſe hopes at all; fince he now feared it would be the means of depriving her converſation and her manner, when they were together, of that charming frankneſs, of which, tho' it'ri- vetted his chain's and encreaſed his tor: ments, he could not bear to be deprived. Melancholy and deſponding, he continued long filent after Lord Weſthaven ceafed ſpeaking. Suddenly, however, awakening from his reverie, he ſaid Does your Lordſhip think Miſs Mowbray ought to “ go to meet Lord Delamere?” ::" Upon my word I know not how to 6 adviſe. My wife is miſerable 'without « her, and fancies the fight of her will « immediately reſtore Delamere. On the se other hand, I believe Emmeline herſelf “ will with reluctance take a ſtep that will, 66. perhaps, appear like forcing herſelf into 64 the notice of a man from whom ſhe has 4 received an affront which it is hardly in « female nature to forgive." They were now interrupted by Bello- zane, who flew about the houſe in evident - uneaſineſs 96 EMME LINE, uneaſineſs and confuſion. He did not yet know how Emmeline was to be diſpoſed of. He ſaw that Lord Weſthaven was himſelf uncertain of it; and he had been applying for information to Le Limoſin and Madelon, who nad yet received no or- ders to prepare for her departure. . While Emineline had created in the boſoms of others ſo much anxiety, ſhe was herſelf tortured with the cruelleſt uncer- tainty. Unable to reſolve how ſhe ought to act, ſhe had yet determined on nothing, when Lady Weſthaven fent for her, who, as ſoon as ſhe entered the room, faida “ My dear Emmeline, are you not pre- “ paring for our journey ?” “ How can I, deareſt Madam-how can “ I, with any propriety, go where Lord “ Delamereis? After the ſeparation which “ has now ſo decidedly and irrevocably “ taken place between us, ſhall I intrude “s again on his Lordſhip's fight? and fo- « licit a return of that regard with which “ I moſt ſincerely wiſh he had forborne to “honour me?" “ You are piqued, my lovely friend; us anci THE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE. 97 ç and I own with great reaſon. But Mr: 66 Godolphin has undoubtedly told you " that poor Frederic is truly penitent; " that he has taken this journey merely to “ deprecate your juſt anger and to ſolicit his " pardon. Will my Emmeline, generous and gentle as ſhe is to others, be inex- " orable only to him? Beſides, my ſweet coz, pray conſider a moment, what elſe < can you do? You certainly would not * wiſh to ſtay here? Surely you would not 6. travel alone to St. Gerinains. And lec « me add iny own hopes that you will not " quit me now, when poor Frederic's ill- “ nefs, and my own precarious health, “ make your company not merely pleaſant « but neceffary.” - That is indeed a conſideration which 6 muſt have great force with me. When « Lady Weſthaven commands, how ſhall * I diſobey, even tho'to obey be directly s contrary to my judgment and my wiſhes." " Comniands ! my dear friend,” very gravely, and with an air of chagrin, ſaid her Ladyſhip, “ are neither for me to give " or for you to receive. Certainly if you Vol. IV. F. « are 98 EMME LINE, 66 are ſo determined againſt going with me, " I muſt ſubmit. But I did not indeed 6 think that Emmeline, however the bro- " ther may have offended her, would thus have reſented it to the ſiſter.” " I ſhould be a monſter, Lady Weſt- « haven," (hardly was the able to reſtrain her tears as ſhe ſpoke,)" was I a moment “ capable of forgetting all I owe you. But “ do you really think I ought again to " put myſelf in the way of Lord Dela- “ mere-again to renew all the family con- 6s tention which his very unforturiate par- “ tiality for me has already occaſioned; “s and again to hazard being repulſed with « contempt by the Marquis, and ſtill more “ probably by the Marchioneſs of Montre- « ville. My lot has hitherto been humble. “ I have learned to ſubinit to it, if not “ without regret, at leaſt with calmneſs and “ reſignation; yet pardon me if I ſay, that 66 liowever unhappy my fortune, there is “s ſtill ſomething due to myſelf; and if I 66 again make myſelf liable to the humilia- “ tion of being refuſed, I ſhall feel that I 66 am degraded in mind, as much as I have “ been THE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE. 99 C3 11 “ been in circumſtances, and loſt to thai s proper pride to which innnccence and 66 rectitude has in the loweit indigence a os right, and which cannot be relinquiſhed " but with the loſs of virtue.” The ſpirit which Emmeline thought her- ſelf obliged to exert, was immediately loſt in ſoftneſs and in ſorrow when ſhe beheld Lady Weſthaven in tears; who, fobbing, faid" Go then, Miſs Mowbray !--Go, " my dear Emmeline! (for dear you muſt “ ever be to me) leave me to be unhappy, " and poor Frederic to die.” - Hear me, my dear Madam!” an- fwered ſhe with quickneſs~" If to you I “ can be of the leaſt uſe, I will heſitate no • longer, but let it then be underſtood that 66 I go with you, and by no means to Lord " Delainere.” “ It ſhall be ſo underſtood-be affured, “ my love, it ſhall! You will not, then, “ leave me? -You will ſee my poor bro- " ther?” “ My beſt, my deareſt friend,” replied Emmeline, collecting all her fortitude, * hear me without reſentment explain to F 2 “ you 10 me "9292B 100 E M M E L I N E , ." you at once the real ſituation of my heart - in regard to Lord Dclamere. I feel for him the trueſt concern; I feel it for him «6 even to a painful exceſs; and I have an - affection for him, a ſiſterly affection for 66 him, which I really believe is little in- 66 ferior to your own. But I will not de- 66 ceive you; nor, ſincel am to meet him, 56 will I ſuffer him to entertain hopes that 66 it is impoſſible for me to fulfil. To be « conſidered as the friend, as the ſiſter of 66 Lord Delamere, is one of the firſt wiſhes “ my heart now forms-againſt ever being "s his wife, I am reſolutely determined.” * 66 Impoſſible! Surely you cannot have " made fuch a reſolution?” .." I have indeed !-Nor will any confi- “ deration on earth induce me froin that « determination to recede.” ." And is it anger and reſentment only - have raiſed in your heart this decided en- “ mity to my poor brother? Or is it, that “ any other ” Emmeline, whoſe colourleſs cheeks were fuffiired with a deep bluſh at this ſpeech, tily interrupted it. si Whatever, derr Lady Weſthaven, are " my THE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE. 101 - - - - - "s my motives for the deciſion, it is irrevo. “ cable; as 'Lord Delamere's ſiſter, I ſhall « be honoured, if I am allowed to confi- “ der myſelf.-As ſuch, if my going with “ you to Beſançon will give you a day's--- or an hour's ſatisfaction, I go." “ Get ready then, my love. But in. ~ deed, cruel girl, if ſuch is your reſolu- " tion it were better to leave you here, than « take you only to ſhow Lord Delamere s all he has loſt, while you deprive line « of all hopes of regnining you. But I « will yet flatter myſelf you do not mean « all this. mo At lovers perjuries they ſay • Jove laughs. And thoſe of my fair cou- “ ſin will be forgiven, ſhould the break “ her angry vow and receive her poor peni “ tent. Come, let us haſten to begin our 6 journey to him; for tho' that dear Go- « dolphin, whom I ſhall love as long as I “ live,” (ah, thought Emmeline, and ſo ſhall I) « aſſures ine he does not think him “ in any danger, my heart will fadly ache 66 till I ſee him iyſelf.” Emineline then left her to put up her cloaths and prepare for a journey to which F 3 the 102 EMMELINE, ſhe was determined folely by the preſſing inſtances of Lady Weſthaven. To herſelf ſhe foreſaw only uneaſineſs and embarraſſ- ment; and even found a degree of cruelty in permitting Lord Delamere to feed, by her conſenting to attend him, thoſe hopes to which ſhe now could never accede, un- leſs by condemning herſelf to the moſt wretched of all lots--that of marrying one man while her love was another's. The late narrative which ſhe had heard from Godolphin, encreaſed her affection for him, and took from her every wiſh to oppoſe it's progreſs; and cho' ſhe was thus compelled to ſee Delamere, fhe determined not to de- ceive him, but to tell hiin ingenuouſly that he had loſt all that tenderneſs which her friendſhip and long acquaintance with him would have induced her to cheriſh, had not his own conduct deſtroyed it. But it was hardly leſs neceſſary to own to hiin part of the truth, than to conceal the reſt. Should he ſuſpect that Godolphin was his rival, and a rival fondly favoured, The knew that his pride, his jealouſy, his reſentment, would hurry him into excefles more THE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE. 103 inore dreadful than any that had yet fol- lowed his impetuous love or his unbridled paſſions. The apprehenſions that he muſt, if they were long together, diſcover it, were more ſeverely diſtreſfing than any ſhe had yet feit ;. and ſhe reſolved, both now and when they reached Beſançon, to keep the ſtricteſt guard on her words and looks; and to pre- vent if poſſible her real ſentiments being known to Delamere, to Lady Weſthaven, and to Godolphin himſelf. So painful and ſo difficult appeared the diffimulation neceffary for that end; and ſo contrary did ſhe feel it to her nature, that ſhe was withheld only by her love to Lady Weſthaven from flying to England with Mrs. Stafford; and ſhould ſhe be reſtored to her eſtate, ſhe thought that the only chance The had of tranquillity would be to hide herſelf from Delamere, whom ſhe at once pitied and dreaded, and from Godol- phin, whom ſhe tenderly loved, in the fi- lence and ſecluſion of Mowbray Caſtle. Her embarraſſinent and uneaſineſs were encreaſed, when, on her joining Lord and F4 : Lady O 104 E M M E L I NE, reco Lady Weſthaven, whoſe carriages and baggage were now ready, ſhe found that the Chevalier de Bellozane had inſiſted on eſcorting them; an offer which they had no pretence to refuſe. On her taking leave of the Baron, he very warmly and openly recommended his ſon to her favour; and Mrs. St. Alpin, who was very fond of her, repeated her wiſhes that ſhe would liſten to her nephew; and both with unfeigned concern ſaw their Engliſh viſitors depart. Captain Godolphin had a place in his bro- ther's chaiſe ; Madelon occupied that which on the former journey was filled by Bello- zane in the coach, the Chevalier now pro- ceeding on horſe back. During the journey, Emmeline was low and dejected; from which ſhe was ſome- times rouſed by impatient enquiries and fearful apprehenſions which darted into her mind, of what was to happen at the end of it. Every thing he obſerved, confirined Godolphin in his perſuaſion that her heart was wholly Delamere's. Her behaviour to himselfwas civil, but even ſtudiouſly diſtant; While the unreſerved and ardent addreſſes of THE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE. 105 of Bellozane, who made no myſtery of his pretenſions, ſhe repulſed with yet more coldneſs and ſeverity. And tho’ towards Lord and Lady Weſthaven the ſweetneſs of her manners was yet preſerved, ſhe ſeemed overwhelmed with ſadneſs, and her vivacity was quite loft. As ſoon as they reached Beſançon, Lord Weſthaven directed the carriages to ſtop at another hotel, while he went with his bro- ther to that where Lord Delamere was. At the door, they met Millefleur; who, overjoyed to ſee them, related that ſince Mr. Godolphin left his maſter the violence of his impatience had occaſioned a ſevere re- lapſe, in which, according to the orders Mr. Godolphin had given, the furgcons had bled and bliſtered hiin; that he was now again better, but very weak; yet ſo extremely ungovernablc and ſelf-willed, that the French people who attended him could do nothing with him, and that his Engliſh footmen, and Millefieur himſelf, were forced to be conſtantly in his room to prevent his leaving it or commitcing ſome other exceſs that might again irritate the F 5 fever extra 106 EMM EL INI, fever and bring on alarming ſymptoms. They haſtened to him, and found not only that his fever ftill hung on him, tho' with leſs violence, but that he was alſo extremely emaciated; and that only his youth had fupported him thro’ ſo ſevere an illneſs, or would now enable him to ſtruggle with it's effects. The moment they entered the room, he enquired after his ſiſter and Emmeline; and hearing the latter was actually come, he pro- teſted he would inſtantly go to her. Lord Weſtharen and Godolphin relo- lutely oppofed ſo indiſcreet a plan. The former, by his undeviating rectitude of mind and excellent ſenſe, had acquired a greater aſcendant over Delamere than any of his family had before pofleffed ; and to the latter he thought himſelf ſo much obliged, that he could not refuſe to attend to him. He conſented therefore at length to remain where he was; and Lord Weſt- haven haſtened back to his wife, whom he led immediately to her brother. She embraced him with inany tears; and was at firſt greatly ſhocked at his altered countenance THE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE. 107 countenance and reduced figure. But as Lord Weſthaven and Godolphin both al- ſured her there was no longer any danger if he would conſent to be governed, ſhe was ſoothed into hope of his ſpeedy recovery and ſoon became tolerably compoſed. As Lord Weſthaven and Godolphin ſoon left them alone, he began to talk to his fil- ter of Emmeline. He told her, that when he had been undeceived by Mr. Godolphin, and the ſcandalous artifices diſcovered which had raiſed in his mind ſuch injurious fufpi- cions, he had declared to Lord and Lady Montreville his reſolution to proceed no farther in the treaty which they had hurried on with Miſs Otley, and had ſolicited their conſent to his renewing and fulfilling that which he had before entered into with Miſs Mowbray; but that his mother, with more anger and acrimony than ever, had ſtrongly oppoſed his wiſhes; and that his father had forbidden him, on pain of his everlaſting diſpleaſure,ever again to think of Emmeline After having for ſome time, he ſaid, combated their inveterate prejudice, he had left them abruptly, and ſet out with his 1. F 6 three 108 E M M E LINE, three ſervants for St. Alpin (where Godol- phin informed him Emmeline was to be;) when a fever, owing to heat and fatigue, ſeized and confined him where he now was. " Ah, tell me, my ſiſter, what hopes « are there that Emmeline will pardon me? “ May I dare enquire whether ſhe is yet 66 to be moved in my favour?” . Lady Weſthaven, who during their journey could perceive no fymptoms of her reſolution beinglikely to give way, dared not feed him with falſe hopes; yet unwilling to depreſs him by ſaying all the feared, ſhe told him that Emmeline was greatly and with juſtice offended; but that all he could at preſent do, was to take care of his health. She entreated him to conſider the conſe- quence of another relapſe, which might be brought on by his eagerneſs and emotion; and then conjuring him to keep all he knew of Lady Adelina a ſecret from Lord Weſt- haven (the neceſſity of which he already had heard from Godolphin) ſhe left him and returned to Emmeline. To avoid the importunity of Bellozane, and the melancholy looks of Godolphin, which THE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE. 109 which affected her with the tendereſt for- row, ſhe had retired to a bed chamber, where ſhe waited the return of Lady Weſthaven with impatience. Her ſolicitude for Delamere was very great; and her heart greatly lightened when ſhe found that even his tender and appre- henſive ſiſter did not think him in any im. mediate danger, and believed that a few days would put him out of hazard even of a relapſe. She now again thought, that ſince Lady Weſthaven had nothing to fear for his life, her preſence would be leſs neceſſary; and her mind, the longer it thought of Mow- bray Caſtle, adhering with more fondneſs to her plan of flying thither, ſhe confi- dered how ſhe might obtain in a few days Lady Weſthaven's conſent to the prelimi- nary meaſure of her quitting Beſançon. CHAP.. 10 EMMELINE, CH A P T E R. VI. W HILE the heireſs of Mowbray VV Caſtle meditated how to eſcape thither from the embarraſſed and uneaſy ſituation in which ſhe now was; and while Me fancied that in retirement ſhe might conceal, if ſhe could not conquer, her af- fection for Godolphin, (tho in fact the only languiſhed for an opportunity of thinking of him perpetually without obſervation), Lady Weithaven laid in wait for an occa- ſion to try whether the ruined health and altered looks of her brother, would not move, in his favour, her tender and ſenſible friend. While Delamere kept his chamber, Em-. meline eaſily evaded an interview; but when, after three or four days, he was well enough to leave it, it was no longer poſſi- ble for her to eſcape ſeeing bim. How- ever Godolphin thought himſelf obliged to bury in ſilence his unfortunate paſſion, he could THE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE. III could not diveſt himſelf of that painful curioſity which urged him to obſerve the behaviour of Emmeline on their firſt meet- ing. Bellozane had diſcovered on what footing Lord Delamere had formerly been; and he dreaded a renewal of that pre- ference ſhe had given her lover, to which his proud heart could ill bear to ſubmit, tho' he could himſelf make no progreſs in her favour. Tho' Lady Weſthaven had entreated her to ſee Delamere alone, ſhe had refuſed ; affigning as a reaſon that as he could never again be to her any other than a friend, nothing could poſſibly paſs which her other friends might not hear. Delamere was obliged therefore to brook the hard conditions of ſeeing her as an in- different perſon or not ſeeing her at all. But tho’ ſhe was immoveably determined againſt receiving him again as a lover, ſhe had not been able to ſteel her heart againſt his melancholy appearance; his palid coun- tenance, his ematiated form, extremely af- fected her. And when he approached her, bowed with a dejected air, and offered to take her hand-her haughtineſs, her reſent- ment ever 112 EMMELIN E, ment forſook her ſhe trembling gave it, and expreſſed in incoherent words her fa- tisfaction at feeing him better; and betrayed ſo much emotion, that Godolphin, who with a beating heart narrowly obſerved her, faw, as he believed, undoubted proof of her love, and ſymptoms of her approaching forgiveneſs. Delainere, who, whenever he wis near her, ceaſed to remember that any other be- ing exiſted, would, notwithſtanding the preſence of ſo many witneſſes, have im- plored her pardon and her pity; but the moment he began to ſpeak on that ſubject, ſhe told hiin, with as inuch reſolution as ſhe could command, that the ſubject was to her ſo very diſagreeable, as would oblige her to withdraw if he perſiſted in intro- ducing it. While his looks expreſſed how greatly he was hurt by her coldneſs, thoſe of Godol. phin teſtified equal dejection. For how- ever ſhe might repreſs the hopes of his rival by words of refuſal and reſentment, he thought her countenance gave more un- equivocal intelligence of the real ſtate of as her THE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE. 113 her heart. Bellozane, as proud, as lit- tle uſed to controul and diſappointment, and with more perſonal vanity than Lord Delamere, beheld with anger and mortifi- cation the pity and regard which Emme- line ſhewed for her couſin; and ceaſing to be jealous of Godolphin, he ſaw every thing to apprehend from the rank, the fortune, the figure of Delamere--from family con- nection, which would engage her to liſten to him--from ambition, which his title would gratify--from her tenderneſs to Lady Weſthaven, and from the return of that which ſhe had, as he ſuppoſed, once felt for Lord Delamere himſelf. But the more invincible the obſtacles which he ſaw riſing, appeared, the more fa- tisfaction he thought there would be in con- quering them. And to yield up his pre- tenſions, on the firſt appearance of a formi. dable rival, was contrary to his enterpriſing ſpirit and his ideas of that glory which he equally covetted in the ſervice of the fair and of the French King. With theſe ſentiments of each other, the reſtraint and iniſtruſt of every party impeded general 114 E MME LINE, general or chearful converſation. Godol- phin foon left the room, to commune with his own uneaſy thoughts in a ſolitary walk; Lord Weſthaven would then have taken out Bellozane, in order to give Lord Dela- inere an opportunity of being alone with his ſiſter and Emmeline. But he was deter- mined not to underſtand hints on that ſub- ject; and when his Lordſhip aſked him to take an afternoon's walk, found means to refuſe it. Afraid of leaving two ſuch com- buſtible ſpirits together, Lord Weſthaven, to the great relief of Emmeline, ſtaid with them till Delamere retired for the night, But the behaviour of Bellozane to Em- meline, which was very particular, as if he withed it to be noticed, had extremely alarmed Delamere ; and whenever they af- terwards met, they ſurveyed each other with ſuch haughty reſerve, and their converſa- tion bordered ſo nearly on hoftility and defiance, that Emmeline, who expected every hour to ſee their animoſity blaze out in a challenge, could ſupport her uneafi- neſs about it no longer; and ſending early to ſpeak to Lord Weſthaven on the begin- ning TUIE RPHAN OF THE CASTLE. THE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE. 115 ning of the ſecond week of their ſtay, ſhe repreſented to him her fears, and entreated him to prevail on the Chevalier to leave them and return to St. Alpin. - I have attempted it already,” ſaid he; " but with fo little ſucceſs, that if I prefs it “ any farther I muſt quarrel with him my- " ſelf. I know perfectly well that your “6 fears have too much foundation; and " that if we can neither ſeparate or tran- so quilliſe theſe unquiet ſpirits, we ſhall 66 have ſome diſagreeable affair happen be- 66 tween them. I know nothing that can " be done but your accepting at once your " penitent couſin.” “ No, my Lord,” anſwered ſhe, with an air of chagrin, “ that I will not do! as I moſtardently with Lord Delamere well, " and would do any thing to make him " happy-except ſacrificing my own hap- “ pineſs, and acting in oppoſition to my - conſcience.” " Why, my dear Emmeline, how is Co this?. You had once, ſurely, an affection “ for Delamere ; and his offence againſt 66 you, however great, adınits of confider- 56 able 116 E M M E LINE, « able alleviation. Conſider all the pains · that were taken to diſunite you, and the “ importunity he ſuffered from his family. «s Surely, when you are convinced of his “ repentance you mould reſtore him to your favour; and however you may be “ ſuperior to conliderations of fortune and s rank, yet when they unite in a man other- “ viſe unexceptionable they ſhould have " fome weight.” " They have none withi ine, upon my honour, my LoriAnd ſince we have “ got upon this topic, I will be very ex- “ plicit-I am determined on no account “ to marry Lord Delamere. But that I “ may give no room to charge me with ca- “ price or coquetry (ſince your Lordſhip " believes I once had ſo great a regard for 66 him), or with that unforgiving temper " which I ſee you are diſpoſed to accuſe me “ of, it is my fixed intention, if I obtain, 6 by your Lordſhip’s generous interpofi- « tion, the Mowbray eſtate, to retire to “ Mowbray Caſtle, and never to marry at 66 all." "Lord Weſthaven, at the folennity and gravity THE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE. 117 ane gravity with which ſhe pronounced theſe words, began to laugh ſo immoderately, and to treat her reſolution with ridicule fo pointed, that he firſt made her almoſt angry, and then obliged her to laugh too. At length, however, ſhe prevailed on him again to liſten to her apprehenfions about Dela- mere and Bellozane. « Do not, my Lord, rally me ſo cruelly; 66 but for Heaven's ſake, before it is too " late, prevent any more meetings between so theſe two raſh and turtulent young men. " Why ſhould the Chevalier de Bellozane « ſtay here?” " Becauſe it is his pleaſure. I do aſſure " you ſeriouſly, my dear Miſs Mowbray, " that I have almoſt every day ſince we “ came hither attempted to ſend my fiery “ couſin back to St. Alpin. But my anx- • iety has only piqued him; and he de- to termines more reſolutely to ſtay becauſe " he ſees my motive for wiſhing him gone. " He is exactly the character which I have “ ſomewhere feen deſcribed by a French “ poet.-A young man who, - leger, impetueux, . « De foi meme rempli, jaloux, preſomptueux, 66 Bouillant 118 E M M E LINE, “ Bouillant dans ſes paſſions; cedant a ſes caprices 6. Pour un peu de valeur, ſe paſſoit de tous ſes « vices.”* " Yet, among all his faults, poor Bello. o zane has ſome good qualities; and I am “ really ſorry for this ſtrange perſeverance “ in an hopeleſs purſuit, becauſe it pre- « vents my aſking him to England. I “ give you my honour, Emmeline,” con. tinued his Lordihip, in a more ſerious tone, or that I have repeatedly repreſented to him “ the improbability of his ſucceſs; but he “ anſwers that you have never poſitively “ diſmiſſed him by avowing your prefer- " ence to another; that he knows your en- “ gagement with Lord Delamere is dif- “ ſolved, and that he conſiders himſelf at “ liberty to purſue you till you have deci- " dedly chofen, or even till you are actu- or ally married. Nay, I doubt whether “ your being married would inake any dif- ference in the attentions of this eccentric Volatile-impetuous Fall of himſelf-jealous - preſumptuous Fiery in his paflions ; yielding to every caprice; And who believes ſome courage an apology for all his vices, " and THE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE. 119 Je so and preſuming Frenchman, for I do not 66 conſider Bellozane as a Swiſs.” :“ Well, but my dear Lord, if the Che- " valier will perſiſt in ſtaying, I muſt de- termine to go. I ſee not that my re- maining here will be attended with any good effects. It may poſſibly be the cauſe 66 of infinite uneaſineſs to Lady Weſthaven. “ Do, therefore, prevail upon her to let me “ go alone to St. Germains. When I am “ gone, Lord Delamere will think more of getting well than of forcing me into " a new engagement. He will then foon « be able to travel; and the Chevalier de “ Bellozane will return quietly to the Ba- " ron.” " Why to ſpeak ingenuouſly, Emme. " line, it does appear to me that it were on “ every account more proper for you to be « in England. Thither I will you could “ haſten, before it will be poſſible for Lord “ Delamere, or indeed for my wife, who “ muſt travel fowly, to get there. I do " not know whether your travelling with “ us will be ſtrictly proper, on other ac- “ counts; but if it were, it would be ren- " dered 120 E M M E LINE, « dered uneaſy to you by the company of " theſe two mad headed boys; for Bello- “ zane I am ſure intends, if you accompany “ us, to go alſo.” " What objection is there then to my s ſetting out immediately for St. Ger- as mains, with Le Limoſin and Madelon, “ if Lady Weſthaven would but conſent « to it?” “ I can eaſily convince her of the necef- s fity of it; but I foreſee another objection " that has eſcaped you." " What is that, my Lord?" " That Bellozane will follow you.” “ Surely he will not attempt it?” 66 Indeed I apprehend he will. I have " no manner of influence over him; and 6 he is here connected with a ſet of mili- " tary men, who are the likelieſt people in “ the world to encourage ſuch an enter- 66 prize--and if at laſt this Paris ſhould “ carry off our fair Helen!"- “ Nay, but my Lord do not ridicule “ my diſtreſs.” « Well then, 1 will moſt ſeriouſly and “ gravely counſel you: and my advice is, | “ that THE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE. 121 as that you ſet out as ſoon as you can get “ ready, and that my brother Godolphin « eſcort you.” Emineline was conſcious that ſhe too much wilhed ſuch an eſcort; yet fearing that her preference of him would engage Godolphin in a quarrel with Bellozane or Lord Delamere, perhaps with both, the anſwered, while the deepeſt bluſh dyed her cheeks. “ No, my Lord, I cannot I mean not “ ) ſhould be ſorry to give Captain Go- “ dolphin the trouble of ſuch a journey-- " and I beg you not to think of it.” " I ſhall ſpeak to him of it, however.” “ I beg, my Lord- entreat that you will not.” " Here he is and we will diſcuſs the vo matter with him now.” Godolphin at this moment entered the room; and Lord Weſthaven relating plainly all Emmeline's fears, and her wiſhes to put an end to them by quitting Beſançon, added the propoſal he had made, that Go- dolphin ſhould take care of her till ſhe joined Mrs. Stafford. VOL. IV. Tho' SI 122 EM ME LI NE, . Tho'Godolphin ſaw in her apprehenſions for the ſafety of Delamere, only a convic- tion of her tender regard for him, and con- fidered his own attachment as every way deſperate; yet he could not refuſe himſelf, when it was thus offered him, the pleaſure of being with her—the exquiſite tho' pain- ful delight of being uſeful to her. He therefore eagerly expreſied the readineſs, the happineſs, with which lie thould under- take ſo precious a charge. Emmeline, fearful of betraying her real ſentiments, over acted the civil coldneſs with which ſhe thought it neceſſary to refuſe this offer. Godolphin, mortified and vexed at her manner as much as at her denial, ceaſed to preſs his ſervices; and Lord Weſthaven, who wondered what could be her objection, ſince of the honour and pro- priety of Godolphin's conduct he knew ſhe could not doubt, ſeemed hurt at her rejec- tion of his brother's friendly intention of waiting on her, and dropping the conver- ſation, went away with Godolphin. She ſaw that her conduct inevitably im- prefied on the inind of the latter a convic- tion THE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE. 123 tion of her returning regard for Delamere; and the feared that to Lord Weſthaven it might appear to be the effect of vanity and coquetry. "Perhaps he will think me,” ſaid ſhe, « ſo vain as to ſuppoſe that Godolphin has 66 alſo deſigns, and therefore decline his 66. attendance; and coquet enough to with “ for the purſuit of theſe men, whom I only " affect to ſhun, and therefore prefer go- “ ing alone to accepting the protection of “ his brother. Yet as I know the ſenti- “ ments of Godolphin, which it appears “ Lord Weſthaven does not, ſurely I had « better ſuffer his ill opinion of me, than “ encourage Godolphin's hopes; which, till “ Delamere can be diverted from profecuit- “ing his unwelcome addreſſes, will inevi- “ tably involve him in a diſpute, and ſuch “ a diſpute as I cannot bear to think of." Uncertain what to do, another day paſſed; and on the following the was, in the morn- ing, while ſhe waited for Lady Weſthaven, addreſſed by Godolphin, who calmly and gravely enquired if ſhe would honour hin with any commands for England ? G 2 66 Are 124 E M M E LINE, “ Are you going then, Sir, before my 66 Lord aıld Lady?” " I am going, Madain, immediately.” " By way of Paris?” “ Yes, Madam, to Havre; whence I “ Mall get the quickeſt to Southampton, “ and to the Iſle of Wight. I am uneaſy “ at the entire folitude to which my ab- “ fence condemns Adelina.” “ You have heard no unfavourable news, " I hope, of Lady Adelina or your little 66 boy?” - None. But I am impatient to return s to thein." " As you are going immediately, Sir,” faid Emmeline (making an effort to con- quer a pain ſhe felt riſing in her boſom) “ I will not detain you by writing to Lady 66 Adelina. Perhaps--as it is poſſible 64 as I hope" She ſtopped. Godolphin looked anxious to hear what was poſſible, what ſhe hoped. “ As I ſhall fo foon, ſo very ſoon be in “ England, perhaps we may meet,” reaf- fumed the, ſpeaking very quick" poffi- so bly THE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE. 125 “ bly I may have the happineſs of ſeeing .. “ her Ladythip and dear little William.” “ To meet you,” replied Godolphin, very ſolemnly, “ Adelina ſhall leave her “ folitude; for certainly a journey to ſee “ her in it will hardly be undertaken by “ Lady Delamere." He then in the ſame tone wiſhed her health and happineſs till he ſaw her again, and left her. • He was no ſooner gone, than ſhe felt dif- poſed to follow him and apologize for her having ſo coldly refuſed his offers of pro- tection. Pride and timidity prevented her; but they could not ſtop her tears, which ſhe was obliged to conceal by hurrying to her own room. Lady Wefthaven foon af- ter ſent for her to a late breakfaſt. She found Lord Delamere there; but heard that Godolphin was gone. . . Soon after breakfaſt, Lady Weſthaven and her brother, who could not yet obtain a clear intermiſſion of the fever which hung about hiin, and who continued extremely weak, went out together for an airing; and Lord Weſthaven, unuiuaiiy grave, was 126 E M M E LINE, was left reading in the room with Emme- line. He laid down his book. “ So,” ſaid he, “ William is flown away from us." It was a topic on which Einmeline did not care to truſt her voice. " I wiſh you could have determined to 1“ have gone with him," . " I wiſh, my Lord, I could have re- as conciled it to my ideas of propriety; “ fince certainly I ſhould have been happy 66 and ſafe in ſuch an eſcort; and ſince, “ without any at all, I inuſt, in a day or si cwo, go.” “ I believe it will be beít. Lord Dela- ,. * mere is no better ; and Bellozane has no " thought of leaving us' entirely, tho' his * military friends take up ſo much of his ** time that he is luckily lefs with Dela- as mere. Lord Delamere has again, Miſs “ Mowbray, been imploring me to apply *** to you. He wiſhes you only to hear "" him. He complains that you fly from 56 him, and will not give himan opportunity of entering on his juſtification.” “1 am extremely concerned at Lord 66 Delamere's THE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE. 127 s« Delamere's unhappineſs. But I muſt re- “ peat that I require of his Lordſhip no “ juſtification ; that I mot ſincerely forgive “ him if he ſuppoſes he has injured me; “ but that as to any propoſals ſuch as he s once honoured ine with, I am abſolutely o reſolved never to liſten to them; and I entreat him to believe that any future so application on the ſubject muſt be en- " tirely fruitleſs.” “ Poor young inan!” ſaid Lord Weſt- haven. “However you muſt conſent to ſee “himn alone, and to tell him ſo yourſelf; * for from ine he will not believe you ſo " very inflexibleſo very cruel.” “ I am inflexible, my Lord, but ſurely “ not cruel. The greatest cruelty of which “ I could be guilty, either to Lord Dela- « mere or myſelf, would be to accept his “ offers, feeling as I feel, and thinking as 66 I think.” " I do not know how we ſhall get him "to England, or what will be done with “ him when he is there.” “ He will do well, my Lord. Doubt 66 it not.” Upon 128 ' E MM E L IN E; “ Upon my honour I do doubt it! It is " to me aſtoniſhing that a young man fo “ volatile, ſo high-ſpirited as Delamere, " ſhould be capable of an attachment at “5. once fo violent and ſo ſteady.” “ Steady !-Has your Lordſhip forgot- or ten Mifs Otley?” “ His wavering was, you well know, owing to ſome evil impreſſions he had " received of you; which, tho'he refuſes " to tell me the particulars, he aſſurés ine rs were conveyed and confirmed with ſo " much art, that a more diſpaſſionate and c6 cooler lover would have believed them “ without enquiry. How then can you “ wonder at bis petulant and eager fpirit 6. ſeizing on probable circumſtances, which “ his jealouſy and apprehenſion immedi- “ ately converted into conviction. As “ foon as he knew theſe ſuſpicions were “ groundleſs, did he not fly to implore “ your pardon; and haſten, even at the s hazard of his life, to find and appeaſe " you? Such is the preſent ſituation of his 5 mind and of his health, that I very fe- 6. riouſly THE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE. 129 “ riouſly aſſure you I doubt whether he will ſurvive your total rejection.” . “ Emmeline, unable to anſwer this ſpeech gravely, without betraying the very great concern it gave her, aſſumed a levity ſhe did not feel. “ Your Lordſhip,” ſaid ſhe, “ is dif- “ poſed to think thus, from the warm and “ vehement manner in which Lord Dela- .« mere is accuſtomed to expreſs himſelf. “ If he is really unhappy, I am very ſorry; 6 but I am perſuaded time, and the more “ fortunate alliance which he is ſolicited to “ form, will effect a cure. Don't think “ me unfeeling if I anſwer your melancholy “ prophecy in the words of Roſalinda ! Men have died from time to time, and worms have eat-them--but not for love.' She then ran away, and loſing all her forced ſpirits the inoment ſhe was alone, gave way to tears. She fancied they flowed entirely for the unhappineſs of poor Dela- mere, and for her uncertain ſituation. But tho' the former uneaſineſs deeply affected her ſenſible heart, many of the tears the thed were becauſe Godolphin was gone, G 5. and 130 : EMMELINE,). and the knew not when ſhe ſhould again ſee him. Svi . .. ñ 'l,47: 1. Godolphin, repining and wretched, pur- ſued his way to Paris. He thought that Emmeline's coldnefsand reſerve were meant to put an end to any hopes he might have entertained; and that her reconcilia- tion and marriage with Lord Delamere inuſt inevitably take place as ſoon as ſhe had, by her diſſimulated cruelty, puniſhed him for his raſhneſs and his errors. His daily obſervation confirmed him in this opinion. He ſaw, that in place of her can- did and ingenuous manners, a ſtudied con- duct was adopted, which concealed her real ſentiments--ſentiments which he concluded to be all in favour of Delamere. And find- ing that he could not diveſt himſelf of his paſſion for her, he thought that it was a weakneſs, if not a crime, to indulge it in her prefence, while it iinpoſed on himſelf an in- ſupportable torment; and that, by quitting her, he ſhould at leaſt conceal his hopeleſs attachment, and ſave himſelf the miſery of ſeeing her actually married to Lord Dela- mere. He deterinined, therefore, to tear himſelf THE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE. 131 himfelf away; and to puniſh himſelf for the premature expectations with which he had begun his journey to St. Alpin, by ſhutting himſelf up at Eaſt Cliff (his houſe in the Iſle of Wight) and refuſing himſelf the fight of her, of whoin it would be ſufficient miſery to think, when ſhe had given herſelf to her favoured and fortunate lover. Fult of theſe reflections, Godolphin pur- ſued his road, intending to take the paſſage boat at Havre. But at the hotel he fre- quented at Paris, he met a gentleman of his acquaintance who was going the next day to England by way of Calais; and as he had his own poſt chaiſe, and only his va- let with him, he told Godolphin that if he would take a place in his chaiſe he would ſend his ſervant poſt. This offer Godol- phin accepted; and altering his original deſign, went with his friend to Calais to croſs to England, G 6. CHAP- .........! 132 ; E M M EL IN E, I - CHAPTER VII. ' TT was now impoſſible for Emmeline to 1 avoid a converſation with Lord Dela- mere, which his ſiſter urged her ſo earneſtly to allow hiin. Bellozane was, by the French officers, with whom he principally lived, engaged out for two days; and Lord and Lady Weſthaven eaſily found an op- portunity to leave Emmeline with Dela- mere. He was no ſooner alone in her preſence, than he threw hiinſelf on his knees before her" Will you,” cried he, “ ah! will “ you ſtill refuſe to hear and to forgive me? “ Have I offended beyond all hopes of par- “6 don?” “ No, my Lord. I do inoſt readily and “ truly forgive every offence, whether real “ or imaginary, that you believe you have “ committed againſt me.” “ You forgive me-But to what pur- “ poſe!---Only to plunge me yet deeper s into THE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE. 133 000 “ into wretchedneſs. You forgive me “ but you deſpiſe, you throw me from “ you for ever. Ah! rather continue to “ be angry, than diſtract me by a pardon “ ſo cold and careleſs!” ?". If your Lordſhip will be calm- if you “ will riſe, and hear me with temper, I 6 will be very explicit with you; but while " you yield to theſe extravagant tranſports, " I cannot explain all I wiſh you to under- • ſtand, and muſt indeed beg to be re- “ leaſed from a converſation fo painful to « me, and to you ſo prejudicial.” Delamere role and took a chair. " I need not, Sir,” ſaid Emineline, collecting all her courage, “ recall to your “ memory the time ſo lately paſſed, when {"I engaged to become your's, if at the ex- “ piration of a certain period Lord and “ Lady Montreville conſented, and you ..“ ſtill remained diſpoſed to beſtow on me " the honour of your name.” ". “ What am I to expect,” cried Dela- mtre, eagerly interrupting her~" Ah! what 6. am I to expect from a preface ſo cold " and cruel? You have indeed no occa- “ fion er 134 '. E M M E LI NE, — fion to recall to my memory thoſe days 66 when I was allowed to look forward to " that happineſs, which now, thro' the “ villainy of others, and my own madnefs “ and ideotiſm, I have loſt. But, Madam, “ it muſt not, it cannot be ſo eaſily relin- " quiſhed! By heaven I will not give " you up!--and if but for a moment I " thought " “ You ſeenied juſt now, Sir, diſpoſed er to hear me with patience. Since, how- “ ever, you cannot even for a few minutes “ forbear theſe ſtarts of paſſion, I really “ am unequal to the taſk of ſtaying with 66 you." She would then have haftened away; but Delamere forcibly detaining her, again proteſted he would be calm, and again ſhe went on. . ; " At that time, I will own to you, that “ without any prepoſſeſſion, almoſt with- “ out a wiſh either to accept or decline the “ very high honour you offered me, I was .“ content to engage myſelf to be your wife; :“ becauſe you ſaid ſuch an engagement « would make you happy, and becauſe I " then THE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE. 125 16 then knew not that it would render me « otherwiſe.” 1.166 Was you even then thus indifferent ? * Had I no place in your heart, Madam, “ when you would have given me your 66 hand?” « Yes, Sir—you had then the place I “ now willingly reſtore to you. I eſteemed s you; I looked upon you with a ſiſterly 56 affection; and had I married you, it $ would have been rather to have made you so happy than becauſe I had any wiſh to form other ties than thoſe by which our “ relationſhip and early acquaintance had * connected us.” .6 Ah! my angelic Emmeline ! it will ſtill s make me happy! Let the reaſons which " then influenced you, again plead for me; o and forget, O! forget all that has paſſed 6. ſince my headlong folly urged me to in- “ fult and forſake you!” 166 Alas! my Lord, that is not in my 66 power. You have cancelled the en- “ gagements that ſubſiſted between us; " and, as I underſtand, have actually formed * others more indiffoluble, with a lady of “ high 136 EMMELINE, as a “ high rank and of immenſe fortune -one “ whoſe alliance is as anxiouſly courted by “ your family, as mine is deſpiled. Can “ your Lord hip again fly from your pro- " miſes? Can you quit at pleaſure the af- “ fluent and high-born heireſs, as you « quitted the deſerted and ſolitary orphan?” “ Curſed, curſed cruelty !” exclaimed Delamere, ſpeaking thro' his ihut teeth- " But go on, Madain! I deſerve your fe- 56 verity, and muſt bear your reproaches ! 6 Yet ſurely you know that but for the ma- so chinations of thoſe execrable Crofts', I s ſhould never have acted as I did. You “ know, that however deſtitute of fortune " chance had made you, I preferred you to so all thoſe who inight have brought me 66 wealth!” "I acknowledge your generoſity, Sir, " and on that head meant not to reproach. “ I merely intended to repreſent to you is what you ſeem to have forgotten--that “ were I diſpoſed to reſtore you the hand so you ſo lately renounced, you could not “ take it; ſince Miſs Otley will certainly os. “ not THE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE. 137 “ not relinquiſh the claim you have given “ her to your regard.” " You are miſinformed. I am under 6 no engagement to Miſs Otley.--I am “ not by heaven! by all that is ſacred !" " Were not all preparations for your “ marriage in great forwardneſs, Sir, when “ you left England? And muſt not your “ conſent have been previouſly obtained “ before Lord Montreville would have " made them? However, to put an end to “ all uncertainty, I muſt tell you, my “ Lord, with a ſincerity which will proba- “ bly be diſpleaſing to you, that my affec- 66 tions- • Are no longer in your own power!” cried he, haſtily interrupting her—" Speak, “ Madam-is it not fo?” " I did not ſay that, Sir. I was going 66 to aſſure you that I now find it impoſ- “ ſible to command them-impoſſible to “ feel for you that preference, without " which I ſhould think myſelf extremely “ culpable were I to give you my hand.” “ I underſtand you, Madain. You give " that preference to another. The Cheva- 66 lier E M M E LINE, “ lier de Bellozane has ſucceeded to your 6. affections. He has doubtleſs made good « uſe of the opportunities he has had to con- “ ciliate your favour; but before he carries “ his good fortune farther, he muſt diſcuſs “ with me the right by which he pretends “ to it.” " Whether he has or has not a right to s pretend to my regard, Sir," ſaid Em- meline, with great ſpirit, “ this cauſeleſs “ jealouſy, ſo immediately after you have « been convinced of the fallacy of your “ ſuppoſition in regard to another perſon, “ convinces me, that had I unfortunately “ given you an excluſive claim to my “ friendſhip and affection, my whole life « would have been embittered by fufpicion, “ jealouſy, and caprice. Recollect, iny Lord, that I have ſaid nothing of the “ Chevalier de Bellozane, nor have you " the leaſt reaſon to believe I have for him sc thoſe ſentiments you are pleaſed to im- “ pute to me.” “ But can I doubt it!” exclaimed Dela- mere, riſing, and walking about in an agony." Can I doubt it, when I have 6 heard THE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE. '139 IS a no * heard you diſclaim me for ever!--when ss you have told me your affections are no “ longer in your power?” “ No, Sir; my meaning was, what I now « repeat--that as my near relation, as my - friend, as the brother of Lady Weſt- 66 haven, I ſhallever eſteem and regard you; but that I cannot command now in your “ favour thoſe ſentiments which ſhould in- “ duce me to accept of you as my huſband. 66 What is paſſed cannot be recalled ; and " tho' I am moſt truly concerned to ſee w you unhappy, my determination is fixed 66 and I muſt abide by it.” . . " Death and hell!” cried the agonized Delamere." It is all over then! You ut- “ terly diſclaim me, and hardly think it worth while to conceal from me for 56 whoſe ſake I am diſclaimed!” " Emmeline was terrified to find that he ſtill perſiſted in imputing her eſtrangement from him to her partiality for Bellozane; fore- ſeeing that he would immediately fly to him, and that all the apprehended muſt follow. "I beg, I entreat, Lord Delamere, that “ you will underſtand that I give no pre- « ference 140 E M M E LI NE, « ference to Mr. de Bellozane. I will not " only allure you of that, but I diſclaim " all intention of marriage whatever! Suf- « fer me, my Lord, to entreat that you " will endeavour to calm your inind and “ regain your health.' Reflect on the “ cruel uncertainty in which you have left " the Marquis and the Marchioneſs; reflect “ on the uneaſy ſituation in which you keep “ Lord and Lady Weſthaven, and on the “ great injury you do yourſelf; and reſo- “ lutely attempt, in the certainty of fuc- “ ceeding, to diveſt yourſelf of a fatal par- “ tiality, which has hitherto produced only « miſery to you and to your family.” - Oh! moſt certainly, moſt certainly !" cried Delamerè, almoſt choaked with pal- fion--" I ſhall undoubtedly make all theſe 66 wiſe reflections; and after having gone 65 thro’a proper courſe of them, ſhall, poſſi- “ bly, with great compoſure, ſee you in the « arms of that preſumptuous coxcomb- 6 that vain ſupercilious Frenchman! 66 that deteſted Bellozane! No, Madam! - No! you may certainly give yourſelf to 6 him, but affure yourſelf I live not to ſee it!" He THE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE. 141 He flew out of the room at theſe words, tho’ ſhe attempted to ſtop and to appeaſe him. Her heart bled at the wounds the had yet thought it neceſſary to inflict; and ſhe was at once grieved and terrified at his menacing and abrupt departure. She im- mediately went herſelf after Lord Weit- haven, to entreat hiin to keep Bellozane and Delamere apart. His Lordſhip was much diſturbed at what had paſſed, which Em- meline faithfully related to him. Bello- zane was ſtill out of town; and Lord Weſt- haven, who now apprehended that on De- lamere's meeting hiin he would imme- diately inſult him, ſaid he would conſider what could be done to prevent their ſeeing each other 'till Delamere became more rea- ſonable. On enquiry, he found that the Chevalier was certainly engaged with his companions 'till the next day. He there- fore came back to Emmeline about an hour after he had left her, and told her that he thought it beſt for her to ſet out that after- noon on her way to St. Germains. “ You will by this means make it diffi- “ 'cult for Bellozane to overtake you, if he 66 ſhould 142 Ε, Ε Ν Μ Ι Μ Ε L 66 ſhould attempt it; and when he ſees you "s have actually fled from Delamere, he 56 will be little diſpoſed to quarrel with " him, and will perhaps go home. As to " Delamere, his ſiſter and I muſt manage " him as well as we can'; which will be " the eaſier, as he is, within this half hour, 66 gone to bed in a violent acceſs of fever. “ Indeed, in the perturbation of mind he “ now ſuffers, there is no probability of his • ſpeedy amendment; for as faſt as he re- “ gains ſtrength, his violent paſſions throw “ his frame again into diſorder. But per- “haps when he knows you are actually in “ England, he may try to acquire, by keep- - ing himſelf quiet, that ſhare of liealth " which alone can enable him to follow 66 you." Emmeline, eagerly embracing this ad- vice, which ſhe found had the concurrence of Lady Weſthaven, prepared inſtantly for her departure; and embracing tenderly her two excellent friends, who hoped foon to follow her, and who had deſired her to come to them to reſide as ſoon as they were ſettled in London, where they had no houſe - ac THE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE. 143 at preſent, ſhe got into a chaiſe, with Ma- delon, and attended by Le Limoſin, who was proudly elated at being thus “ l'homme 66 de confience"* to Mademoiſelle Mowbray, ſhe left Beſançon; her heart deeply iin- preſſed with a ſenſe of Delamere's ſuffer- ings, and with an earneſt wiſh for the re- ſtoration of his peace. Tho? Godolphin had been gone four days, and went poft, ſo that ſhe knew he muſt be at Paris long before her, ſhe could not, as ſhe proceeded on her journey, help fancying that ſome accident might have ſtopped him, and that ſhe inight over- take him. She knew not whether ſhe hoped or feared ſuch an encounter. But the diſappointed air with which ſhe left every poſt houſe where ſhe had occaſion to ſtop for horſes, plainly evinced that ſhe -rather deſired than dreaded it. She felt all the abſurdity and ridicule of expecting to ſee him; yet ſtill ſhe looked out after him; and he was the object ſhe fought when ſhe caſt her eyes round her at the ſeveral ſtages. Without overtaking him, or being her- * Confidential ſervant. ſelf 144 EMMELINE, ſelf overtaken by Bellozane, me arrived in ſafety and in the uſual time at Paris, and immediately went on to St. Germains; Le Limoſin being ſo well acquainted with travelling, that ſhe had no trouble nor alarm during her journey. When ſhe got to St. Germains, ſhe was received with tranſport by Mrs. Stafford and her family. She found her about to depart, in two days, for England, where there was a proſpect of ſettling her huf- band's affairs; and ſhe had undertaken to go alone over, in hopes of adjuſting them for his ſpeedy return; while he had agreed to remain with the children 'till he heard the ſucceſs of her endeavours. Great was the ſatisfaction of Mrs. Stafford to find that Emmeline would accompany her to Eng- land; with yet more, did ſhe peruſe thoſe documents which convinced her that her fair friend went to claim, with an abſolute certainty of ſucceſs, her large paternal for- tune. Lord Weſthaven had given her a long letter to the Marquis of Montreville, to whom he deſired ſhe would immediately addreſs THE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE. 145 addreſs herſelf; and he had alſo written to an eminent lawyer, his friend, into whoſe hands he directed her immediately to put the papers that related to her birth, and by no means to truſt them with any other perſon. ; With inoney, alſo, Lord Weſthaven had amply furniſhed her; and ſhe propoſed taking lodgings in London, 'till ſhe could ſettle her affairs with Lord Montreville; and then to go to Mowbray Caſtle. On the fecond day after her reaching St. Germains, ſhe began her journey to Calais with Mrs Stafford, attended by Le Limoſin and Madelon. When they arrived there, they heard that a paſſage boat would fail about nine o'clock in the evening; but on fending Le Limoſin to ſpeak to the maſter, they learned that there were already more cabin paſſengers than there was room to accommodate, and that therefore two ladies might find it inconvenient. As the evening, however, was calm, and the wind favourable, and as the two fair travellers were impatient to be in England, they determined to go on board. It was Vol. IV. near Н 146 Ε Μ Μ Ε L Ι Ν Ε, w roc near ten o'clock before the veſſel got under way; and before two they were aſſured they ſhould be at Dover. They therefore heſi- tated not to paſs that time in chairs on the deck, wrapped in their cloaks; and would have preferred doing ſo, to the heat and cloſeneſs of the cabin, had there been room for them in it. By eleven o'clock, every thing inſenſi- bly grew quiet on board. The paſſengers were gone to their beds, the veſſel moved calmly, and with very little wind, over a gently ſwelling fea; and the ſilence was only broken by the waves riling againſt it's fide, or by the ſteerſman, who now and then ſpoke to another ſailor, that ſlowly tra- verſed the deck with meaſured pace. The night was dark; a declining moon only broke thro' the heavy clouds of the horizon with a feeble and diſtant light, There was a ſolemnity in the ſcene at once melancholy and pleaſing. Mrs. Stafford and Emmeline both felt it. They were ſilent; and each loſt in her own reflections; nor did they attend to a flight interruption of the ſtillneſs that reigned on board, made nd by THE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE. 147 mal by a paſſenger who came from below, muf- fled in a great coat. He ſpoke in a low voice to the man at the helm, and then lat down on the gunwale, with his back towards the ladies ; after which all was again quiet. In a few moments a deep ſigh was uttered by this paſſenger ; and then, after a ſhort pauſe, the two friends were aſtoniſhed to hear, in a voice, low, but extremely expreſ- ſive, theſe lines, addreſſed to Night. S O N N E T. I love thee; mournful ſober-ſuited night, When the faint moon, ýet lingering in her wane And veil'd in clouds, with pale uncertain light Hangs o'er the waters of the reſtleſs main. In deep depreſſion ſunk, the enfeebled mind Will to the deaf, cold elements complain, And tell the emboſom’d grief, however vain, To ſullen ſurges and the viewleſs wind. Tho' no repoſe on thy dark breaſt I find, I ſtill enjoy thee-chearleſs as thou art; For in thy quiet gloom, the exhauſted heart, Is calm, tho’ wretched; hopeleſs; yet reſign'd. While, to the winds and waves, it's ſorrows given, May reach--tho'loſt on earth-the ear ofheaven! H 2 " Surely," 148 E M M E LINE, « Surely,” ſaid Mrs. Stafford in a whif- per, “ it is a voice I know.” " Surely,” repeated the heart of Emme- line, for the could not ſpeak, “ it is the “6 voice of Godolphin.” " Do you,” reaſtumed Mrs. Stafford do you not recollect the voice?" . " Yes,” replied Emmeline. “I think- 66 I believe-I rather fancy it is--Mr. • Godolphin.” . 6 Shall I ſpeak to him?” aſked Mrs. Stafford, “ or are you diſpoſed to hear “ more poetry? He has no notion who 66 are his auditors.” " As you pleaſe,” ſaid Emmeline. Again the perſon ſighed, and repeated with more warmth— “And reach, tho’loft on earth—the ear of heaven!” - Yes—if ſie is happy, they will indeed "s be heard! Ah! that cruel if-if ſhe is “ happy! and can I bear to doubt it, yet 66 leave her to the experiment !”. There now remained no doubt but that the ſtranger was Godolphin; and Emme- line as little heſitated to believe herſelf the ſubject of his thoughts and of his Muſe. " Why THE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE. 149 « Why do you not ſpeak to him, Emme- “ line?” ſaid Mrs. Stafford, archly. - I cannot, indeed.” “ I muſt ſpeak then, myſelf;" and raiſ- ing her voice, ſhe ſaid " Mr. Godolphin, “s is it not ?" " Who is ſo good as to recollect me?"? cried he, riſing and looking round him. It was very dark; but he could juſt diftin- guiſh that two ladies were there. Mrs. Stafford gave him her hand, ſaying " Have you then forgot your friends :"> He ſnatched her hand, and carried it to his lips. “ There is another hand for you,” ſaid ſhe, pointing to Emineline-" but you or inuſt be at the trouble of taking it,” " That I ſhall be moſt delighted to do. " But who is it? Surely it cannot be Miſs, “ Mowbray, that allows me ſuch hap- 66 pineſs?", “ Have you, in one little week,” ſaid. the faultering Emmeline,,“ occaſion to aſk " that queſtion :?”. . * in - Not now I hear that voice," anſwered Godolphin in the moſt animated tone H 3 “ Not 150 E M M E LI NE, “ Not when I hold this lovely hand. But “ whence comes it that I find you, Madam, “ here? or how does it happen that you “ have left my brother and ſiſter, and the “ happy Delamere?” He ſeemed to have recollected, after his firſt tranſport at meet- ing her, that he was thus warmly addreſs- ing ber who was probably only going to England to prepare for her union with his rival. « Do not be ſo unreaſonable,” ſaid Mrs. Stafford, “ as to expect Miſs Mowbray “ ſhould anſwer all theſe queſtions. But « find a ſeat; and let us hear ſome account “ of yourſelf. You have alſo to make your “ peace with me for not feeing me in your 66 way." Godolphin threw himſelf on the deck at their feet. * I find a ſeat here," ſaid he, " which I « ſhould prefer to a throne. "As to an ac- « count of myſelf, it is foon given. I met “ a friend, whoſe company induced me to " come to Calais rather than travel thro" “ Normandy; and the haſte he was in “ made it impoſſible for me to ſtop him, “ Mifs Ccount . 1icet. THE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE. 151 “ Miſs Mowbray had refuſed to give me any “ commiſion for you ; and I had nothing to “ ſay to you that would have given you any “ pleaſure. I was, therefore, unwilling to trou- “ ble you merely with a paſſing enquiry.” “ But whence comes it that you fail only k to-night, if your friend was ſo much hur- 66 ried ?” • He went four days ago; but I was “kep I was detained at Calais." Emineline felt a ſtrange curioſity to know what could have detained him; but dared not aſk ſuch a queſtion. They then talked of Lord and Lady Weſt- haven. « Lord Delamere is, I conclude, much “ better?” ſaid Godolphin. ..“ When I took leave of Lord and Lady “Weſthaven” coldly anſwered Emmeline, “ I did not think him much better than when “ we firſt ſaw him. His ſervant ſaid he was “almoſt as ill as when you, Sir, with friend.. « ſhip ſo uncommon, attended him."'. “ Call it not uncommon, Madam !It was “ an office I would have preformed, not only “ for any Engliſhman in another country, “ buc : H4 152 E M M E LI NE, : “ but I hope for any human being in any 6 country, who had needed it. Should I then " allow you to ſuppoſe there was any great “merit in my rendering a light ſervice to ** the brother of Lady Weſthaven; and who " is beſides dear to one to whom I owe obli- “ gations fo infinite.” The ſtreſs he laid on theſe words left Em- meline no doubt of his meaning. She was, however, vexed and half angry that he per- fiſted in believing her fo entirely attached to Delamere ; and, for the firſt time ſhe had ven- tured to think ſteadily on the ſubject, medi- tated how to undeceive him. Yet when ſhe reflected on the character of Delamere, and remembered that his father would now claim an authority to controul her actions--that one would think himſelf at liberty to call any man to an account who addreſſed her, and the other to refuſe his conſent to any other marriage than that which would be now ſo advantageous to the family--Me ſaw only inquietude to herſelf, and hazard to the life {o dear to her, ſhould ſhe ſuffer the paſſion of Godolphin openly to be avowed. “Is it not remarkable," ſaid Mrs. Stafford, " that THE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE. 153 5 that you ſhould voluntarily have conducted “ us to France, and by chance eſcort us " home?” , “Yes," anſwered Godolphin.-" And a “ chance fo fortunate for me I ſhould think “portended ſome good, was I fanguine, and « had I any faith in omens.” 66. Are you going immediately to London?” 66. Immediately.” “. And from thence to Eaſt Cliff?" “I believe I ſhall be obliged to ſtay in " town a week or ten days.---- But iny conti- "s nuance there ſhall be longer, if you or Miſs " Mowbray will employ me." The night now grew cold; and the dew fell ſo heavily, that Mrs: Suíford expreſſed her apprehenſions that Eineline would find ſome ill effects from it, and adviſed her to go down. “Oh! no," ſaid Godolphin, with uncom- mon anxiety in his manner“ do not go “ down. There are ſo many paſſengers in “ the cabin, and it is ſo cloſe, that you will “ find it extremely diſagreeable. It will 6 not row be half an hour before we ſee the :: :: H 5 : "lights . 154 E M M E LINE, IL 111 “ lights of Dover; and we ſhall preſently be “ on hore.” Emmeline, who really apprehended little from cold, acquieſced; and they continued to converſe on general topics 'till they landed. Godolphin ſaw them on thore immediately, and attended them to the inn. He then told them he muſt go back to ſee after the bag- gage, and left them haſtily. They ordered a light refreſhment; and when it was brought in, Emmeline faid-- Shall we not wait for “ Mr. Godolphin?” " The gentleman is come in, Madam," faid the waiter, “ with another lady, and is « aſſiſting her up ſtairs. Would you pleaſe " I ſhould call him ?” . Emmeline felt, without knowing the na- ture of the ſenſation, involuntary curioſity and involuntary uneaſineſs. “No, do not call him,” ſaid Mrs. Stafford * I ſuppoſe he will be here immediately. But “ ſend the French ſervant to us." Le Limoſin attending, ſhe gave hiin ſome · requiſite orders, and then again enquired for Captain Godolphin. Le Liinoſin anſwered, that he was gone to affift THE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE. 155 affiſt a lady to her room, who had been very ill during the paſſage. « Of which nation is ſhe, Le Limoſin?” “ I ain ignorant of that, Madam, as I have “ not heard her ſpeak. Monſieur Le Capitaine « is very ſorry for her, and has attended her the “ whole way, only the little time he was upon « deck." * Is the a young lady?” enquired Mrs. Stafford. “ Yes, very young and pretty.” The curioſity of Mrs. Stafford was now, in fpite of herſelf, awakened. And the long ſtay Godolphin made, gave to Emmeline ſuch acute uneaſineſs, as ſhe had never felt before. It is extraordinary ſurely, ſaid ſhe to herſelf, that he ſhould be thus anxious about an ac- quaintance made in a pacquet boat.. She grew more and more diſturbed at hisab- fence; and was hardly able to conceal her vex- ation from Mrs. Stafford, while ſhe was aſhamed of diſcovering it even to herſelf. In about ten minutes, which had appeared to her above an hour, Godolphin came in; apologiſed, without accounting, for his ſtay, and while they made altogether a ſlight repaſt, enquired how H6 they 156 E M M E I I NE, they intended to proceed to London and at what time. On hearing that they thought of ſetting out about noon, in a chaiſe, he propoſed their taking a poſt coach; “ and then," added he, “ you may ſuffer me to occupy the fourth “ place." To this Mrs. Stafford willingly agreed ; and Emmeline, glad to find that at leaſt he did not intend waiting on his pacquet boat acquaintance to London, retired with fomewhat leſs uneaſineſs thąıt ſhe had felt on her firſt hearing that he had brouglit ſuch an acquaintance on ſhore. After a few hours ſleep, the fair travellers aroſe to continue their journey. They heard that Mr. Godolphin had long left his room, and was at breakfaſt with the lady whom he had been ſo careful of the preceding morning. At this intelligence Emmeline felt all her anxiety revive ; and when he came into the robin where they were to ſpeak to them, hardly could fhe command herſelf to anſwer him without betraying her emotion. “Miſs Mowbray is fatigued with her voy- 6 age,” ſaid he, tenderly approaching her 6 The - THE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE, 157 “ The night air I am afraid has affected het 66 health?” - No, Sir?” coldly and faintly anſwered Emmeline. " How is the young lady you was ſo good “ as to aſſiſt on ſhore, Sir?” ſaid Mrs. Staf: ford. : “ I underſtand ſhe was ill.” . . : Godolphin bluſhed; and replied, with ſome little embarraſſment, “ ſhe is better, Madam, “ I thank you.” . . . “ So !” thought Emmeline, " he makes " then no myſtery. of having an intereſt in this • lady." “ Are you acquainted with her ?” enquired Mrs. Stafford. . . . “Yes.” Politeneſs would not admit of another quer- tion. Yet it was impoſſible to help wiſhing to aſk it. Godolphin, however, turned the diſ- courſe, and ſoon afterwards went out. Em- meline felt ready to cry, yet knew not for what, and dreaded to aſk herſelf whether Mhe had not. adınitted into her heart the tormenting paſſion of jealouſy, “ Why thould I be diſpleaſed,” ſaid ſhe. “Why ſhould I be unhappy? Mr. Godol- “ phin 158 EMMELIN E, . 6 phin believes me attached to Delamere, and “ has ceaſed to think of me; wherefore ſhould “ I lament that he thinks of another; or what “ right have I to enquire into his actions < what right have I to blame them?” The poſt coach was now ready. Emme- line, attended by Madelon, Mrs. Stafford, and Godolphin, got into it, and a lively and animated converſation was carried on between the two latter. Emmeline, in the approach- inginterview with her uncle, and in the wretch- edneſs of Delamere, which ſhe never ceaſed to lament, had employment enough for her thoughts; but in ſpite of herſelf they flew per- petually from thoſe ſubjects to the acquaint- ance which Captain Godolphin had brought with him from Calais. . . Yu!^ :: CHAP- THE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE. 159 CHAPTER VIII. W H EN they arrived at Canterbury, W the ladies were ſhewn into a par- lour, where Godolphin did not join them for near half an hour. Emmeline had ac- counted for her lowneſs of ſpirits by her dread of meeting her uncle on ſuch terms as they were likely to meet; but Mrs. Staf ford knew the human heart too well to be ignorant that there was another and a con- cealed fource of that 'melancholy which overwhelmed her. It was in vain ſhe had attempted to diffemble. It was, to her friend, evident, that her compaffion, her good wiſhes, were Delamere's, but that her heart was wholly Godolphin's, and was now pierced with the poignant thorns of new- born jealouſy and anxious miftruft. While they waited together the return of Godolphin, Mrs. Stafford faid " I fancy that poſt chaiſe that paſſed us about half “an 2 L M M E LINE, . . “ an hour ago, contained Mr. Godolphin's 66 acquaintance." “ Did it? Why do you think ſo ?” .6 Becauſe he looked after it ſo earneſtly; . or and there ſeemed to be only a young wo- man in it.” ..^ I did not obſerve it indeed," replied Emmeline; with the appearance of careleſs- neſs. . : i " I ſhould like to ſee her nearer," conti- tinued Mrs. Stafford, with ſome archneſs By, the glympſe I had of her ſhe appeared 56 to be very handſome.”..,,.onein :." Do you think ſhe is a French woman?" enquired Einmeline, ſtill affecting great in- difference. ..., i sir's ,:** No, ſhe appeared to be Engliſh. But " if you pleaſe I will enquire of him?”, s'I beg you will not," in a half angry tone, anſwered Einmeline".I am furę it is very immaterial.” .,. ; At this moment Godolphin entered; and with looks of uneaſineſs apologiſed for his long ſtay.--" I have an awkward embar * rallinent,” ſaid he, “ on my hands: a 6. poor young woman, who is wholly a 4 ſtranger THE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE. 161 “ ſtranger in this country, and whom I “ have undertaken to conduct to London; 66 but ſhe is ſo ill that I am afraid ſhe is un- " fit to go on-Yet how to leave her here " I know not.” " Pray, Sir," ſaid Emmeline, “ do not " let us be any reſtraint to you. If your " preſence is neceſſary to the lady, you had “ ſurely better continue with her, than " put her to any inconvenience to go on.” Godolphin, who was at once pleaſed and pained by the quickneſs with which ſhe fpoke, faid." I will tell you, my dear " Mifs Mowbray, very ingenuouſly, that “if I had been quite lure the character of " this unhappy young woman is ſuch as 66 entitled her to your's and Mrs. Stafford's " protection, I Tould without ſcruple have ss aſked it. I know,” continued he, looking refled, “ how compaſſion ite and good 66 you both are; but I ought not therefore - to hazard improperly taxing ſuch gene- “ roſity and ſenſibility.” - Who is this young perſon, Sir?” aſked Mrs. Stafford. " If it will not tire you I will tell you. Oh 66 On 162 E MMÉ LINE, « On my arrival at Calais this day fe'nnight, I found all the pacquet boats on the other fide, and was obliged to wait with my friend Cleveland a whole day. As I was ſaunter- ing about the ſtreets after dinner, I paſſed by an Engliſhman whoſe face I thought I recollected. The man looked confuſed, and took off his hat, and I then perfectly reinembered him to have been one of the belt ſailors I had on board in the Weſt In- dies, where he received a dangerous wound in the arm. " I ſtopped, and aſked him by what acci- dent he came to Calais, and why his ap- pearance was no better; for his honeſt hard features feemed pinched with want, his dreſs was ſhabby, his perſon meagre, and his look dejected. .:. I am aſhamed to tell you, Captain,', faid he, how I came hither; but in ſhort, • becauſe I could not live at home. You • know I got prize money when I ſerved under your honour. Mayhap I might « have managed it better; but, howfom=; • dever 'tis gone, and there's an end on't So as we are all turned a drift in the world, THE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE 163 * world, ſome of my ſhip mates adviſed me to try a little matter of ſmuggling with them, and come over here. I have lived s among theſe Frenchmen now theſe two 6 months, and can, to be ſure, juſt live; but rot 'em, if I could get any thing to do at home, I wouldn't ſtay another hour, • for I hates 'em all, as your honour very well knows. A lucky voyage or two will put ſome money mayhap in my way, with this ſmuggling trade; and then I reckons to croſs over home and ſo go down to Liver- pool to my friends, if any on um be alive yet.' “ I reproved my acquaintance feverely for his proceeding, and told him, that to enable him to go to his friends, I would ſupply him with money to buy him cloaths, which I found he principally wanted; being aſhamed to appear among his relations ſo ill equipped, after having received a confiderable fum in prize money, « The poor fellow appeared to be very graceful, and aſſured me that to prove his fin- cerity he would embark in the ſame pacquet boar, But Lord, Captain,' added he, 'I be'nt 164 E M M E LINE, be’nt the only Engliſhman who ſtays in this raſcally country agin their will--your honour remembers Leiutenant Stornaway, on board your honour's ſhip?'. “Aye, to be ſure I do. , ; - Well; he, poor lad, is got into priſon Chere for debt, and there I reckon he'll die; ' for nobody that ever gets into one of their confounded jails in this country, ever gets 6 out again.' “ As I perfectly remembered Stornaway, a gallant and ſpirited young Scotſiman, I was much hurt at this account, and aſked if I could be adınitted to ſee him. I found it at- tended with infinite difficulty, and that I muſt apply to ſo many different perſons before I could be allowed to ſee my unfortunate coun- tryman, that the pacquet boat of the next day. muſt fail without me. Cleveland therefore departed; and I, with long attendance on the Conimandant and other officers, was at length introduced into the priſon. I will not ſhock you with a deſcription of it, nor with the con- dition in which I found the poor young man; who ſeemed to me likely to eſcape, by death, from the damp and miſerable dungeon where he THIE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE. 165 he lay, without neceſſary food, without air, and without hope of eſcape. He related to me his ſorrowful and ſimple tale. He was brought up to the ſea; had no friends able to affiſt him; and on being diſcharged, after the peace, had gone, with what money he received, and on half pay, to France, in hopes of being able to live at leſs expence than in England, and to learn, at the ſame time, a language fo neceſſary in his profeſſion. ..And for ſome time,' ſaid he, “I did “pretty well ; till going with one of my coun- 6.trymen to ſee a relation of his, who was (tho' born of Scots parents) brought up as a pen- “ſioner in a convent, and a Catholic, I was no longer my own maſter, and tho’I knew that it was almoſt impoſſible for me to ſup- Sport a wife, I yet rafhly married, and have made one of the lovelieſt young creatures in the world a beggar. She was totally deſtitute of fortune; and was afraid her friends, who were but diſtant relations, and people of rank in Scotland, ? would inſiſt on her taking the veil, as the moſt certain and eaſieſt means of providing *.for her. She had a decided averſion to a « monaſtic 166 E M M E LINE, monaſtic life; and poor as I was, (for I did • not attempt to deceive her,) heſitated not to • quit her convent with ine, which it was eaſy enough to do by the management of her re. tion of Godolphin was, as the hoped, fixed, and founded on his eſteem for her character, he would not love her leſs at the end of that period, when ſhe ſhould have the power of giving him her eſtate unincumbered with dif- ficulties and unembarraſſed by law ſuits; and ſhould, ſhe hoped, eſcape the miſery of ſeeing Delamere's anguiſh and deſpair, on which ſhe could not bear to reflect. She ingenuouſly explained to Mrs. Staf- ford her reaſons for refuſing to receive Godol. phin's propoſals; in which her friend, tho'ſhe allowed THE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE. 177 allowed them to be plauſible, by no means ac- quieſced; ſtill inſiſting upon it, that the kind- eſt thing ſhe could do towards Lord Delamere, as well as the propereſt in regard to the ſettle- ment of her eſtate, was immediately to accept Godolphin. But Emmeline was not to be convinced; and all the could obtain from Mrs., Stafford was an extorted promiſe, reluc- tantly given, that ſhe would not give any ad- vice or encouragement to Godolphin imine- diately, to preſs his fuit. Emmeline, tho' convinced ſhe was right, yet doubted whether ſhe had fortitude enough to perſiſt in the con- duct ſhe wiſhed to adopt, if expoſed at once to the ſolicitations of a woman of whoſe under- ſtanding ſhe had an high opinion, and to the ardent ſupplications of the man ſhe loved. The day after her arrival in London, ſhe had ſent to Berkley-{quare, and was informed that Lord Montreville and his family were in Norfolk. ii . : ! Thither therefore ſhe wrote, and encloſed the letter the had brought from Lord Weſt- haven. Her own was couched in the moſt mout? and dutiful terms, and that of Lord Tinhven was equally mild and reafonable. 1 5 But 178 EMMELINE, But they gave only diſquiet and concern to the ambitious and avaricious boſom of Lord Montreville. Tho? already tortured by De. lamere's abfence and illneſs, and uncertain whether the object of his long ſolicitude would live to reap the advantage of his accumulated fortunes, he could not think but with pain and reluctance of giving up fo large a portion of his annual incorne; ſtill more unwilling did he feel to refund the produce of the eſtates for ſo long a period; and in the immediate emotion of his vexation at receiving Lord Weſthaven's firſt letter, he had ſent for Sir Richard Crofrs, who, having at the time of Mr. Mowbray's death been entruſted with all the papers and deeds which belonged to him, was the moſt likely to know whether any were among them that bore teftiinony to the inarriage of Mr. Mowbray and Miſs Stavor. dale. The fact was, that a very little time before he died, his ſteward, Williamſon, had received the memorandum of which Einmeline had found a copy; and, on the death of his mal- ter, had carried it to Sir Richard Crofts, Lord Montreville being then in the North of Eng- land. THE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE. 179 land. Sir Richard eagerly enquired whe.' ther there were any other papers to the like purport. Williamſon replied, he be- lieved not; and very thoughtleſsly left it · in his hands. · When, a few days after=“ wards, he called to know in whofe name the bufineſs of the Mowbray eſtate was to be carried on, Sir Richard (then acting as an attorney, and only entering into life) told him, that every thing was to be conſidered as the property of Lord Mon- : treville; becauſe there were inany doubts about the marriage of Mr. Mowbray, and great reafon to think that the paper in queſtion was written merely with a view to : pique and perplex his brother, with whom he was then at variance; but that Lord Montreville would enquire into the bufia neſs, and certainly do juſtice to any claims the infant might have on the eſtate. » Soon after, Williamfon applied again to have the paper reftored; but Crofts anſwered, that he ſhould keep it, by order: of Lord Montreville, tho' it was of no uſe; his Lordſhip having obtained undoubted information: DIS 180 EM M E LINE, .. information that his brother was never married. Sir Richard had reflected on the great advantage that would accrue to his patron from the poſſeſſion of this eſtate; to which, beſides it's annual income, ſeveral bo- roughs belonged. He thought it was very probable that the little girl, then ; only a few weeks old, and without a mo- ; Ther or any other than mercenary ato, tendants, night die in her infancy. If ; ſhe did not, that Lord Montreville might : eaſily provide for her, and that it would." be doing his friend a great ſervice, and be highly advantageous to himſelf, ſhould he: conceal the legal claim of the child, even; unknown to her uncle, and put him in iin- 1. mediate poffeffion of his paternal eftate.**? Having again ſtrictly queſtioned. Wile liamſon, repreſſed his curioſity by law jara la gon, and frightened him by threats of his Lord's diſpleaſure if he made any effort ? to prove the legitimacy of Emmeline, ... he very tranquilly deſtroyed the paper, '? and Lord Montreville never knew that: ſuch a paper had exiſted. Williamſon, THE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE. 181: Williamſon, tiinid and ignorant of every: thing beyond his immediate buſineſs, re- turnedin great doubt and uneaſineſs to Mow- bray Caſtle. When he received the child and the two caſkets, he had queſtioned the Frenchman who brought her and heard an: abſolute confirmation of the marriage of his mafter. He then examined the caſkets, and found the certificates. But without money or friends, he knew not how to proſecure the claim of the orphan againſt the power and affluence of Lord Montreville; and after frequent conſultations with Mrs. Carey, they agreed that the ſafeſt way would be carefully to ſecure thoſe papers till Emmeline was old enough to find friends; for ſhould they attempt previouſly to procure juſtice for her, they might probably loſe the papers which proved her birth, as they had already done that which Williamſon had delivered to Crofts' As long as Williamſon lived, he carefully locked up theſe caſkets. His ſud- den deaths prevented him from taking any ſteps to eſtabliſh the claim of his orphan miſtreſs; and that of Mrs. Carey two years afterwards, involved the whole affair in ob- ſcurity, , 182 E M M E L I NE, fcurity, which made Sir Richard quite eaſy as to any future diſcovery. But as the aggreffor never forgives, Sir Richard had conceived againſt Emmeline the moſt unmanly and malignant hatred, and had invariably oppoſed every tendency which he had obſerved in Lord Montreville to befriend and alliſt her, for no other reaſon but that he had already irreparably injured her. He hoped, that as he had at length di- vided her from Lord Delamere, and driven her abroad, ſhe would there marry a fo- reigner, and be farther removed than ever from the family, and from any chance of re- covering the property of which he had de-' prived her. Inſtead of which, ſhe bad, in conſequence of going thither, met the very man in whoſe power it was to prove the mar- riage of her mother; and, in Lord Weft. haven, had found a protector too intelligent and too ſteady to be diſcouraged by evaſion or chicanery—too powerful and too affluent to be thrown out of the purſuit either by the enmity it might raiſe or the expence it might demand.. Nothing THE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE. 183 Nothing could exceed the chagrin of Sir Richard when Lord Montreville put into his hands the firſt letter he had on this ſubject from Lord Weſthaven. Accuſtomed, how- ever, to command his countenance, he ſaid, without any apparent emotion, that as no papers in confirmation of the fact alledged had ever exiſted among thoſe delivered to him on the death of Mr. Mowbray, 'it was probably fome forgery that had impoſed on Lord Weſthaven. “I fee not how that can be?” anſwered Lord Montreville: “ It is not likely that €¢ Emmeline Mowbray could forge ſuch pa: 6 pers; or ſhould even conceive ſuch an idea.” 1,366 True, my Lord. But your Lordſhip se forgets and overlooks and paſſes by the " long abode and continuance and reſidence. « ſhe has made with the Staffords. Mrs. 1. Stafford is, to my certain knowledge and “ conviction, artful and deſigning and in- « trigueing; a woman, my Lord, who afa « fects and pretends and preſumes to under- 4 ſtand and be competent and equal to bu- « neſs and affairs and concerns with which 4 women ſhould never interfere or meddle " or 184 EMMELINE, 10 “ or intereſt themſelves. It is clearly, and "evidently and certainly to the intereſt and « advantage and benefit of this woman, that “ Miſs Mowbray, over whom ſhe has great “ influence and power and authority, should “ be eſtabliſhed and fixed and ſettled in afflu- “ence, rather than remain and abide and continue where nature and juſtice and rea- “ ſon have placed her.". S i is ."1 own, Sir Richard, I cannot ſee the. “thing in this light. However, to do nothing “ raihly, let us conſider how to proceed.”. Sir Richard then adviſed him by no means to anſwer Lord Weſthaven's letter, but to wait till he ſaw his Lordſhip; as in caſes fo mo- mentous, it was, he ſaid, always wrong to. give any thing in black and white, ' In a few days afterwards he heard out of Norfolk, (for he had come up from thence to conſult with Şir Richard Crofts) that Lord Delamere was ill at Beſançon. His precipitate departure, had before given him the moſt poignant con- cern; and now his fears for his life completed the diſtreſs of this unfortunate father. , On re- ceiving, however, the ſecond letter from Lord Weſthaven, together with that of Emmeline, his THE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE. 185.; his apprehenſions for the life of his fon were removed, and left his mind at liberty to recur again to the impending loſs of four thouſand five hundred a year, with the unpleaſant 'ac- companyment of being obliged to refund above fixty thouſand pounds. Again Sir Richard Crofts was ſent for, and again he tried to quiet the apprehenſions of Lord Montreville." Buit his attempt to perſuade him that the whole might be a deception originating with the Staffords, obtained not a moment's attention. He knew Stafford himſelf was weak, ignorant, and indolent, and would neither have had fa- gacity to think of or courage to execute ſuch a deſign; and that Mrs. Stafford ſhould ima-, gine and perform it ſeemed equally improba- ble. He was perfectly aware that Lord Weſt- haven had a thorough-acquaintance with bu-' ſineſs, and was of all men on earth the moſt unlikely to enter warmly into ſuch an affair, (againſt the interelt too of the family into which he had married) unleſs he was very ſure of having very good grounds for his in- ' terference. . Bur tho' Sir Richard could not prevail on hiin to diſbelieve the whole of the ſtory, he faw 186 E M M E LINE, ſaw that his Lordſhip thought with great re- luctance of the neceſſity he ſhould be under of relinquiſhing the whole of the fortune. He 110w therefore recommended it to himn to re- main quiet, at leaſt 'till Lord Weſthaven came to England; to ſend an anſwer to Miſs Mow- bray that meant nothing; and to gain time for farther enquiries. Theſe enquiries he himſelf undertook; and leaving Lord Montreville in a political fit of the gout, he returned from Audley Hall to London, and bent all his thoughts to the accompliſhment of his deſign; which was, to get the original papers out of the hands of Einmeline, and to bribe Le Li- moſin to go back to France. · While theſe things were paſſing in England, Lord Delamere (whoſe rage and indignation at Emmeline's departure the authority of Lord Weſthaven could hardly reſtrain) had learned from his brother-in-law the real circumſtances of the birth of his couſin, and he heard them with the greateſt ſatisfaction. He now thought it certain that his father would preſs his mar riage as eagerly as he had before oppoſed it; and that fo great an obſtacle being removed, and Emmeline wholly in the power of his fa- mily, THE ORPHAN ( THE ASTLE. THE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE. .187 mily, ſhe would be eaſily brought to forgive hiin, and to comply with the united wiſhes of all her relations. . In this hope, and being aſſured by Lord Weſthaven that Bellozane was actually re- turned into Switzerland without any deſign of following Emmeline, (who had been induced, he ſaid, to leave Beſançon purely to avoid hin) he conſented to attempt attaining a greater command over his temper, on which the re- eſtabliſhment of his health depended; ard af, ter about ten days, was able to travel. Lord and Lady Weſthaven, therefore, at the end of that time, ſlowly began with him their journey fo England. CHAPTER IX. TMMELINE had now been almoſt a U week in London; and Mrs. Stafford, with the afliftance of Godolphin, had fuc- ceeded ſo much better than ſhe expected, in the arrangement of ſome of thoſe affairs in which 188 E L I NE, E M M which ſhe apprehended the moſt difficulty, that very little remained for her to do before The ſhould be enabled to return to France (where her huſband was to ſign ſome papers to ſecure his fafety); and that little depended on James Crofts, who ſeemed to be making artificial delay, and trying to give her all the trouble and perplexity in his power. . . He had, however, another motive than merely to harraſs and diſtreſs her. His father had employed him to deal with Le Limoſin; well knowing that there was nothing ſo baſe and degrading that he would not undertake where his intereſt was in queſtion ; and Sir Richard had promiſed him a conſiderable ad- dition to his fortune if he had addreſs enough to prevent ſo capitalaſum as Emmeline claimed from being deducted froin that of the family to whom his brother was allied; and from whence he had expectations, which could not but ſuffer from ſuch a diminution of it's wealth and intereſt.. .: , The tediouſneſs therefore that the Crofts! created promiſed ſtill to detain Emmeline in London; and her uncle's letter, which coldly and hardly with civility deferred any confe- rence THE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE. 189 rence on her affairs till the arrival of Lord Weſthaven, convinced her that from his ten- derneſs ſhe had nothing, from his juſtice little to hope. . . . . . to i • Godolphin was very anxious to be allowed perſonally to apply to him on the claim of his niece. But this Emmeline poſitively refuſed. She would not even allow Mr. Newton, the lawyer to whom Lord Weſthaven had recom- : mended her, and in whoſe hands her papers were fafely depoſited, to write officially to Lord Montreville; but determined to wait quietly the return of Lord Weſthaven him- felf, on whom ſhe knew neither the anger of her uncle or the artifices of Sir Richard would make any impreſlion; while his Lordſhip's interference could not be imputed to ſuch mo- tives as might poſſibly be thought to influence Godolphi n, or would it give her the appear- ance of proceeding undutifully and harſhly againſt Lord Montreville, which appearances the might be liable to, ſhould ſhe haſtily in- ſtitute a ſuit againſt him.. Shegrew, however, very uneaſy at the deter- mined attendance of Godolphin, whofe pre- ſence ſhe knew was ſo neceſſary to poor Lady Adelina, 190 EMMELIN Adelina. She ſaw that he was anxious about his ſiſter, yet could not determine to tear him- ſelf from ber; and to inſiſt upon his returning to Lady Adelina, would be to aſſume a right, to which, on the footing they were, ſhe de- clined pretending. She failed not, however, every day to repreſent to him the long folitude in which Lady Adelina had been left, and to read to him parts of her letters which breathed only ſorrow and depreſſion. Whenever this happened, Godolphin heard her with concern, and promiſed to ſet out the next day; but ſtill ſomething was to be done for the ſervice of Emineline, and ſtill he could not bear to re- ſign the delight he had now ſo long enjoyed of ſeeing her every day, and of indulging thoſe hopes the had tacitly allowed him to en- tertain. Mrs. Stafford, notwithſtanding her promiſe to Emmeline, had not been able to forbear dif- covering to him part of the truth. Yet when he reflected on the advantages Delamere had over him in fortune, in rank, in the influence his family connection and his former engage- ment might give him, he trembled lealt, if he ſhould be himſelf abient when Lord Delamere 192 £ M M ELIN E, “ Not unleſs you or Miſs Mowbray will " allow me to ſuppoſe that to either of you “ my return may be in any way ſerviceable.” Mrs. Stafford aſſured him ſhe had nothing to trouble him upon which required ſuch iin- inediate attention. Emmeline then attempted to make an anſwer of the ſame kind. But tho' ſhe had for ſome days wiſhed him to go, ſhe could not ſee him on the point of departing without being ſenſible of the anguiſh his ab- ſence would occaſion her; and inſtead of ſpeak- ing diſtinctly her thanks, ſhe only murmured ſomething, and was ſo near burſting into tears, that fearing to expoſe herſelf, ſhe was hurrying out of the room. “No meſſage--no letter-not one kind “ word,” ſaid he, gently detaining her, “ to “ poor Adelina? Nothing to your little pro- " texé!" “ My-love to them both, Sir ?" " And will you not write to my lifter?” “ By the poſt,” ſaid Emmeline, ſtruggling to get from him to conceal her einotion. He then kiſſed her hand, and ſuffered her to go. While the explanation Mrs. Stafford gave of her real feelings, elated him to rapture, THE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE. 103 in which he departed, proteſting that nothing ſhould prevent his return, to follow the good fortune which he now believed might be his, as ſoon as he could adjuſt his ſiſter's buſineſs with her huſband's relations. Mrs. Stafford recommended it to him to bring Lady Adelina to London with him, as the affection Emmeline had for her would inevitably give her great influence. Godol- phin, in anſwer to this advice, only ſhook his head; and Mrs. Stafford remained uncertain of his intentions to follow it. A few days now elapſed without any extra- ordinary occurrence. Emmeline thought leſs of the impending reſtoration of her fortune (for of it's reſtoration Mr. Newton aſſured her he had no doubt,) than of him with whom ſhe hoped to ſhare it. She impatiently longed to hear from Lady Adelina that he was with her. And ſometimes her mind dwelt withi painful ſolicitude on Lady Weſthaven and Delamere, for whoſe health and ſafety ſhe was truly anxious, and of whom ſhe had re- ceived no account ſince her arrival in London. As ſhe was performing the promiſe ſhe had made to Godolphin of writing to Lady Ade- Vol. IV. K lina 194 E M M E L IN E, lina by an early poft, Le Limoſin announced Mr. James Crofts; who immediately entered the room with his uſual jerking and familiar walk. Emmeline, who incapable as ſhe was of hating any bedy, yet felt towards him a diſguſt almoſt amounting to hatred, received him with the coldeſt referve, and Mrs. Staf- ford with no more civility than was requiſite: to prevent alledging her rudeneſs and impa- tience as reaſons for not ſettling the buſineſs on which the concluded he came. .. He began with general converſation; and when Mrs. Stafford, impatient to have done with him, introduced that which went more immediately to the adjuſtment of the affair ſhe wiſhed to ſettle, he told her, that being ex- tremely unwilling to diſcuſs a matter of buſi- neſs with a lady, and apprehenſive of giving offence to one for whom he and his dear Mrs. Crofts had ſo ſincere a regard, he had deter- mined to leave all the concerns yet between them to his artorney; a man of ftri& honour and probity, to whom he would give her a di- rection, and to whoin it would be better for her attorney to apply, than that they ſhould themſelves THE ORPMAN OF THE CASTLE. 195 themſelves enter on a topic whereon it was probable they might differ. Mrs. Stafford, vexed at his diſſimulation and finefle, again preſſed him to come to a concluſion without the interference of lawyers. But he again repeated the ſet ſpeech he had formed on the occaſion; and then addreſſing himſelf to Emmeline, aſked finilingly, and af- fecting an intereſt in her welfare, “ whether « the information he had received was true?" " What information, Sir?” ." That Miſs Mowbray has the inoſt authen. 6 tic claim to the eſtate of her late father.” " It is by no means an eſtabliſhed claim. * Sir; and ſuch as you muſt excuſe me if “I decline talking of.” “ I am told you have papers that put it out “ of diſpute. If you would favour me with « a ſight of them, perhaps I could give you " ſome inſight into the proceedings you ſhould " commence; and I am ſure my friendſhip " and regard would make any ſervice I could * do you a real ſatisfaction to myſelf.” I thank you, Sir, for your profeſſions. ~ The papers in queſtion are in the hands of - Mr. New exS LI K 2 E M M E L I NE, . 10 1 ice Otv " Mr. Newton of Lincolns Inn. If he will " allow you to ſee them, I have no objection.” “ You intend then,” ſaid James Crofts, unable entirely to conceal his chagrin-you - intend to begin a ſuit with my Lord Mon- s treville?” By no ineans, Sir. I am perſuaded there 66 will be no neceſſity for it. But as you have “ juſt referred Mrs. Stafford to a lawyer, I " muſt beg leave to ſay, that if you have any “ queſtions to aſk you muſt apply to mine." James Crofts, quite diſconcerted notwith- ſtanding his preſumptuous aſſurance, was not ready with an anſwer; and Einmeline, who dloubted not that he was ſent by his father to gain what intelligence he could, was ſo pro- voked, that not conceiving herſelf obliged to preſerve the appearance of civility to a man the deſpiſed, ſhe left him in poſſeſſion of the room, from whence Mrs. Stafford had a few moments before departed. He therefore was obliged to withdraw; having found his at- tempt to ſhake the integrity of Le Limoſin as fruitleſs as that he had made to get ſight of the papers. - He THE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE. 197 He had not long been gone, when a ſervant · brought to Emmeline the following note.- .I have heard you are in town with Mrs.. « Stafford, and beg leave to wait on you. Do “ not, ma douce amie, refuſe to grant ine this “ favor. Beſides the happinefs of ſeeing you “ and your friend, I have another very particu- " “There are objections in my mind, infita « perable objections, to this alliance. Theſe; « however, I muſt talk over with the Colonel (s himſelf." “Not boftilely, I hope. Surely you have too e much regard for the unhappy Adelina, to “ give way now to any reſentment you may “ have conceived againſt him. Or if that r does not influence you, think of what I muſt .« ſuffer.” She knew not what ſhe had ſaid; hardly what the intended to ſay. : “ Enchanting ſoftneſs!” exclaimed Godol- phin in a tranſport—"Is then the ſafety of « Godolphin fo dear to that angelic bofoin”. - You know it but too well. But if my quiet « is equally dear to you, promiſe me that if < this meeting to-morrow must take place, ! you: THE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE. 307 “ you will receive Fitz-Edward with civility, 66 and hear him with patience. Remember « on how many accounts this is neceſſary, “ Remember how many expreſiions there are “ which his profeſſion will not allow him to or hear without reſentment, that muſt end in “ blood. Your's is no common cauſe of en- « mity; none of thoſe trifling quarrels which 6 daily ſend modern beaux into the field. “ Your characters are both high as military “men, and as gentlemen; and your former “ intimacy muſt, I know, iinpreſs more deeply " on the mind of each the injury or offence “that either ſuppoſe they receive. Be care- “ful then, Godolphin ; promiſe me you will 66 be careful,” “ Ah! lovely Emmeline! more lovely “ from this generous tenderneſs than from your “ other exquiſite perfections; can I be inſen- “ ſible of the value of a life for which you in- "tereſt yourſelf and ſhall I ſuffer any other “ conſideration to come in competition with 66 your peace;" ; “ You promiſe me then?" “ To be calmn with Fitz-Edward, I do. And of while I remember his offence (for can I for- “ get 308 EMMELIN E, get while I ſuffer from it I will alſo recol- " lect, that you, who have alſo ſuffered on the “fame account, think him worthy of com- “ pafſion; and I will try to conquer, at leaſt “ to ſtifle, my reſentment. But what ſhall we “ do with Adelina?" " That muſt depend on her ſituation in the “ morning. I have greatly apprehended an “ unhappy turn in her intellects ever ſince my “ firſt coming. The death of Trelawny, far “ from appearing to have relieved her by re- “ moving the impediment to her union with “ Fitz-Edward, ſeems rather to have rendered « her more wretched. Continually agitated " by contending paſſions, ſhe was long un- “happy in the opinion that Fitz-Edward had “ obeyed her when ſhe deſired him to forget. « her. Since Trelawny's deceaſe, as ſhe has “ more fearleſsly allowed her thoughts to “ dwell on him, ſhe has ſuffered all the anxiety rs of expecting to hear from him, and all the “ bitterneſs of diſappointment. And I could “ plainly perceive, that ſhe was ſtill debating 6 with herſelf, whether, if he did apply to her, “ The ſhould accept him, or by a violent ef- 66 fort of heroiſm determine to ſee him 10 66 more. TO THE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE. 300 “ more. This confict is yet to come. Judge 6s whether in the frame of mind in which you “ ſee her, ſhe is equal to it; and whether any 66 additional terror for you and for him will - “ not quite undo her. Alas ! far from ag- « gravating, by purſuing your reſentinent, “ anguiſh ſo poignant, try rather to ſoothe « her forrows and aſliſt her determination. “ And whatever that determination may be, 66 when it is once inade the may perhaps be “ reſtored to health and to tranquillity.” “ Indeed I will do all you dictate, my love- «lieſt friend! Surely I ſhould ill deſerve the “ generoſity you have ſhewn to me, were I 6. incapable of feeling for others, and parti- có cularly for my ſiſter. But wherefore that 66 air of defiance which Mr. Fitz-Edward " thought it neceſſary to aſſume? He ſeemned “ to come more diſpoſed to inſult than to con- “ ciliate the family of Lady Adelina.” Alas! do you make no allowance for the “ perturbed ſituation of his mind? When he ſaw " the woman he adores to all appearance dead, " and for the firſt time beheld the poor little boy, he looked upon you as one who deſires 66 to tear from him for ever theſe beloved ob- “ jects; 310 EMMELINE, jects; and forgetting that he was the age “ greffor, thought only of the injury which « he ſuppoſed you intended." “ There is, indeed, fome apology for his 66 afperity of manner; and perhaps I was in « ſome meaſure to blame. Ġenerous, candid, 66 conſiderate Emmeline! how does your ex- “cellent heart teach you to excuſe thoſe weak- “ neſſes you do not feel, and to pity and to for- “ give errors which your own perfect mind s makes it impoſſible for you to commit! « Ah! how heavily is your tenderneſs perpe- “ tually taxed. Here, it is ſuffering from the « fight of Adelina-in town, it will have i another object in the unfortunate Delamere." .66 Did you not tell me he was in tolerable “ health?” “ Alas! what is bodily health when the mind “ is all at eaſe? The anxiety of Delamere to “ ſee you, to hear his deſtiny from yourſelf, " is painful even to me, who feel my own ex- 5 quiſite happineſs in knowing what that de- " ſtiny muſt be. I look with even painful “ commiſeration on this fingular young man. " Yet from paſſions ſo violent, and obſtinacy « ſo invincible, I muſt have rejoiced that Miſs “ Mowbray THE OR PHAN AN OF THE CASTLE. 311 « Mowbray has eſcaped; even tho'her prefer- " ence of the fortunate Godolphin had not * rendered his lot the moſt happy that a hu- s man being can poffeſs.” “ Since you are ſo good,” ſaid Emmeline faintly, for the was quite exhauſted, “ to coin- “ paffionate the ſituation of mind of Dela- 5 mere, you will, I think, ſee the humanity ts of concealing from him-that-” She could find no term that ſhe liked, to expreſs her meaning, and ſtopped ,66 That he has a fortunate rival?” ſaid Go- dolphin. “ No, deareft Emmeline, I hope " I am incapable of ſuch a triumph! 'Till « poor Delamere is more at eaſe, I am con- “ tent to enjoy the happineſs of knowing your “ favourable opinion, without wiſhing, by an “ inſulting diſplay of it, to convince him he " has for ever 6. Thrown a pearl away richer than all his tribe ! “ Yet I am ſure you will think it ſtill more cruel to give him hope. I will tell you all “ my weakneſs. While I ſee you here, all vo benignity and goodneſs to me, I feel for * Lord Delamere infinite pity; but were you to "receive Ore V EM ME LI NE,".. “ receive him with your uſual ſweetneſs, to give “ him many of thoſe enchanting ſmiles, and " to look at him with thoſe ſoft eyes, as if " you tenderly felt his forrows, I am not ſure “ whether the moſt unreaſonable jealouſy “ would not poffeſs me, and whether I ſhould 6 not hate him as much as I now wiſh him “ well.” " That were to be indeed unreaſonable, " and to act very inconſiſtently with your na- 6 tural candour and huinanity. I will not “think ſo ill of you as to believe you. You “ know I muſt of courſe often fee Lord Dex “ lamere. But after the avowal you have ex- “torted from me, ſurely I need not repeat so that I ſhall ſee him only as my friend.” . Godolphin then kiſſed her hands in rapture; and for a few moments forgot even his con- cern for Lady Adelina. Emmeline now wiſhed to break off the converſation ; and he at length allowed her to leave himn. After having en- quired of Barret after her miſtreſs, who was happily in a calmer sleep, ſhe retired to her own room, where the hoped to have a few hours of repoſe; but notwithſtanding the pro- miſes of Godolphin, ſhe felt that as the hour of THE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE. 313 of the morning approached on which he was to meet Fitz-Edward, anxiety would chace away fleep, and again make her ſuffer the cruelleft fufpenfe. The heart of Godolphin, glowing with the livelieſt fenſe of his own happineſs, yet felt with great keennels the unfortunate ſituation of his fifter. He began to doubt whether he had any right to perpetuate her wretched- neſs; and whether it were not better to leave it to herſelf to decide in regard to Fitz-Ed- ward. The delicacy of his honour made him fee an infinity of objections to their marriage, which to common minds might appear chi- merical and romantic. To that part of his own family who were yet ignorant of her for- mer indiſcretion, as he could not urge his rea- fons, his oppoſition of Fitz-Edward muſt ſeem capricious and unjuſt. Lord Weſthaven muſt therefore either be told that which had hitherto with ſo much pains been concealed from him, or he muſt determine to refer Fitz-Edward entirely to Lady Adelina herſelf; and on this, after long deliberation, he fixed. Exactly as the clock ftruck ſeven, Fitz- Edward was at the door; and was introduced Vol. IV. into P 314 E M M E LI NE, ent into Godolphin's ſtudy, who was already up and waiting for him. Emmeline, fill full of apprehenſion, had ariſen before ſix, and hear- ing Lady Adelina was ſtill aſleep, had gone down ſtairs, and waited with a palpitating heart in the breakfaſt room. She was glad to diſtinguiſh, at their firſt meeting, the uſual ſalutations of the morning. She liſtened; but tho' the reſt of the houſe was profoundly ſilent, ſhe could not hear their converſation or even the tone in-which it was carried on. It was not, however, loud, and ſhe drew from thence a favourable omens Near two hours paſſed, during which breakfaſt was carried in to them; and as the ſervant paffed backwards and forwards, ſhe heard parts of ſentences which aſſured her that then; at leaſt, they were converting on indifferent ſubjects. Now, therefore, the agitation of her fpirits began to ſubſide ; and ſhe dared even to hope that this meeting would prove the means of reconciliation, rather than of producing thoſe fatal effects ſhe had dreaded.. In about a quarter of an hour, however, after they had finiſhed their breakfaſt, they went out cony THE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE. 315 out and croſſed the lawn together. Then again her heart failed her; and without know- ing exactly what ſhe intended, ſhe took the lit- tle boy, whom the maid had juſt brought to her, and walked as quickly as poſſible after them. Before ſhe could overtake them, they had reached the gate; and in turning to ſhut it after him, Godolphin faw her, and both to- gether came haſtily back to meet her. At the fame moment, the child putting out his hands to Godolphin, called him papa, as he had been uſed to do; and Fitz-Edward, ſnatching him up, kiſſed him tenderly, while his eyes were filled with tears. , Godolphin took the hand of Emmeline. “Why this terror? why this haſte?” ſaid he, obſerving her to be almoſt breathleſs. “ I thought-I imagined—I was afraid ” anſwered the, not knowing what ſhe ſaid. "Be not alarmed,” ſaid Godolphin-“We " go together as friends." “ And Godolphin,” interrupted Fitz-Ed- ward, “ is again the fame noble minded Go- “ dolphin Ionce knew, and have always loved.” “Let us ſay then,” cried Emmeline, " no P 2 . " more 3.16 EMMELINE “ more of the paſt.--Let us look forward only) “ to the future.”.. “ And the happineſs of that future, at leaſt " as far as it relates to me, depends, deareft “ Miſs Mowbray, on you." . . . . « On me!” . . . . ., “ Godolphin wiſhes me, not now to ſee his “ ſiſter. I have acquiefced. He: wiſhes me “ even to refrain from ſeeing her till the has “ been fix months a widow. With this, alſo, “I have complied. But as it is not in my " power to remain thus long in a fufpence ſo "agonizing as that I now endure, he allows “ me to write to her, and refers wholly to her- “ ſelf my hopes and my deſpair. Ah! gene- ,“ rous, lovely Emmeline! you can influence “the mind of your friend. When ſhe is calm, “ give her the letter I will ſend to you; and if “ you would ſave me from a life of lingering “ anguiſh to which death is preferable, procure “ for me a favourable anſwer.” U s » Emmeline could not refuſe a requeſt made by Fitz-Edward which Godolphinſcemod not to oppoſe. She therefore acquieſced; and faw him, after he had again tenderly careſſed she child, depart with Godolphin, who deſired her THE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE. her to return to the houſe, in order to await Lady Adelina’s riſing; where he would ſoon join her. With an heart lightened of half the concern ſhe had felt on this melancholy fub- ject, ſhe now went to the apartment of her poor friend, who was juſt awakened from the ftupor rather than the ſleep into which the ſoporifics ſhe had taken had chrown her. Withi an heavy and reluctant eye ſhe looked round her, as if hopeleſs of ſeeing the image now al- ways preſent to her imagination." Emmeline approached her with the child. She ſeemed happy to ſee them; and deſiring her to ſit down by the bed ſide; faida“ Tell me truely what " has happened? Have I taken any medicine *t that has confuſed my head, or how happens et it that I appear to have been in a long and « moſt uneaſy dream? Wild and half formed “ images ſtill ſeem to float before my eyes; « and when I attempt to make them diſtinct, 6 I am but the more bewildered and uneaſy." : *** Think not about it, then, till the heavie * nels you complain of is gone off." * Tell me, Emmeline, have I really only #dreamed, or was a ſtranger here yeſterday? “ I thought, that ſuddenly I ſaw Fitz-Edward, . P 3 “thin, 318 L M M E LIN E, “ thin, pale, emaciated, looking as if he were “ unhappy; and then, as it has of late often “ happened, I loſt at once all traces of him; “s and in his place Godolphin came, and I 66 know not what elſe; it is all confuſion and "6 terror!” . Emmeline now conſidered a moment; and then concluded that it would be better to re- late diſtinctly to her, ſince ſhe now ſeemed ca- pable of hearing it, all that had really paſſed the preceding evening, than to let her fatigue her inind by conjectures, and enfeeble it by fears. She therefore gave her a conciſe detail of what had happened ; from the accidental meet- ing with Fitz-Edward, to the parting ſne had herſelf juſt had with him in the garden. She carefully watched the countenance of Lady Adelina while ſhe was ſpeaking; and ſaw with pleaſure, that tho' exceſſively agitated, ſhe melted into tears, and heard, with a calmer joy than ſhe had dared to hope, the certainty of Fitz-Edward's tender.attachment, and the unhoped for reconciliation between himn and her brother. Having indulgec: hertears. ſome time, ſhe tenderly preffed ; the hand of Emmeline, and ſaid, in a faint voice, that the found . 319 THE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE. found herſelf unable to riſe and meet Godol. phin till ſhe had recovered a little more ſtrength of mind, and that ſhe wiſhed to be left alone. Emmeline, rejoiced to find her ſo tranquil, left her, and rejoined Godolphin, who was by this time returned ; and who read, in the animated countenance of Emmeline, that ſhe had fa- vourable news to relate to him of his lifter. While they enjoyed together the proſpect of Lady Adelina's return to health and peace, of which they had both deſpaired, the natural chearfulneſs of Emmeline, which anxiety and affection had ſo long obſcured, ſeemed in ſome degree to return; and feeling that ſhe loved Godolphin better than ever, for that generous placability of ſpirit he had ſhewn to the repent- ant Fitz-Edward, lhe no longer attempted to conceal her tenderneſs, or withhold her confi. dence from her deſerving lover. They break- faſted together; and afterwards, as Lady Ade- lina ſtill wiſhed to be alone, they walked over the little eſtate which lay round the houſe, and Emmeline allowed him to talk of the improve. ments, he meditated when ſhe ſhould become it's miſtreſs. The pleaſure, however, which lightened in her eyes, and glowed in her bos fom, 320 "E'MM'E'L IN EO TIT um fom, was checked and diminiſhed when the image of Delainere, in jealouſy, and deſpair, intruded itſelf." . And the could look forward to no future "happiñeſs for herſelf, undaſhed with ſorrow, while he remained in a ſtate of mind' ſo deplorable. When they returned into the houſe, Barret brought to Godolphin the following note. .." Deareſt and moſt generous Godolphin! “I find inyſelf unequal to the taſk of Speaking kon what has paſſed within thele laſt twenty “ four hours. I wiſh ſtill to ſee you. But let our converſation turn wholly on Lord Weſt- “ haven, of whom I am anxious to hear; and “ ſpare me, for the preſent, on the ſubject " which now blinds with tears your weak buc “ grateful and affectionate : ADELINA.'!) : Godolphin now aſſured her, by Emmeline, that he would mention nothing that ſhould give her a inoment's pain, and that ſhe ſhould herſelf lead the converſation. " He ſoon after went up to her and Emme. line, in her dreſſing room; and found her ſtill calm, tho'very low and languid. The name of Fitz-Edward was carefully avoided. But in THE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE. 321 in the ſhort time they were together, Godolphin obſerved that the eyes of Lady Adelina feemed, on the entrance of any one into the room, fearfully and anxiouſly to examine whether they brought the letter ſhe had been taught to expect from Fitz-Edward. It was eaſy to ſee that the deeply meditated on the anſwer which ſhe muft give; and that ſhe felt an internal ſtruggle, that Godolphin feared might again unſettle her underſtanding. She was too faint to fit up long; and deſirous of being left entirely alone, Godolphin had for the reſt of the day the happineſs of entertaining Emmeline apart. He failed not to avail him. felf of it; and drew from her a confeſſion of · her partiality towards him, even from the firſt day of their acquaintance, and long before ſhe dared truſt her heart to enquire into the nature of thoſe ſentiments with which it was impreſſed. : Late in the evening, a meſſenger arrived with the expected letter from Fitz-Edward. To convince Godolphin of the perfect inte- grity with which he acted, he ſent him a copy of it; adding, that he was then on his road to London, where he ſhould await, in painful ſolicitude, the deciſion of Lady Adelina It PS: I was 322 : : EMM » LINE(?HT was determined that Emmeline fhould give her the letter the next morning; and that if af- ter reading it fhe retained the fame languid compoſure which ſhe had before ſhewn, they ſhould go in the evening to Southampton, and from thence proceed the following day to London, where Lord and Lady Weſthaven ſo anxiouſly expected their arrival. : When Emmeline delivered the letter, Lady Adelina turned pale, and trembled. She left her to read it; and on returning to her in about half an hour, Einmeline found her drowned in tears. She ſeemed altogether unwilling to ſpeak of the contents of the letter; but aſſured Emmeline that ſhe was very well able to un-, dertake the journey her brother propoſed, and ſhe believed it would be rather uſeful than prejudicial to her. “ As to the letter,” added the, with a deep ſigh, “ it will not for ſomne "! days be in my power to anſwer it.” Every thing was, by the diligence of Godol. phin, foon prepared for their departure. Lady Adelina, her little boy, Emmeline'and Godol- phin, attended by their ſervants, went the fame evening to Southampton; from whence they began their journey the next day; and refting THE QEPHAN OF THE CASTLE. 325 ſhe was ſeated, 6 I have ſeen Lord Montre- * ville on your buſineſs. r I cannot fay that “his Lordſhip received me with pleafure. S. But fome allowances muſt be made for a “ man who loves money, on finding himſelf $ obliged to relinquiſh fo large an eftáte, and to refund fo large a fum as he holds of “ your's... : ., “I hope, however, you, my Lord, have “ had no diſpute on my account with the $ Marquis ?" No ,is .:.“ Oh!» none in the world. What he " thought, I had no buſineſs to enquire; what “ he ſaid, was not much ; as he committed " the arguments againſt you to Sir Richard “ Crofts, who talked very long, and, as far “as I know, very learnedly. He ſpoke like “ a lawyer and a politician." I cut the mat- of ter ſhort, by telling him that I ſhould attend “ to nothing but from an honeſt man and a “ gentleman.”, it'ļ. ;.'s ļas! iii . That was ſevere, my Lord.";!. -. Oh! he did not feel it. Wrapped in his 4 own ſelf-ſufficiency, and too rich to recol- " lect the neceſſity of being honeſt, he ftill “perfifted in trying to perfuade me that no- os thing 326 EMMELINE ! thing ſhould be done in regard to reſtor- “ing vour eſtate 'till all the deeds had been 56 examined; as he had his doubts whether, 66 allowing your father's marriage to be " eſtabliſhed, great part of the landed pro- “ perty is not entailed on the heirs male. « In ſhort, he only feemed deſirous of “ gaining time and; iving trouble. But 66 the firſt, I was determined not to allow schim; and to ſhorten the ſecond, I took 6 Mr. Newton with me the next day, and “ deſired Sir Richard, if he could prove any “ entail, co produce his proofs. For that, " he had an evaſion ready-he had not had “ time to examine the deeds; which I find " are all in his hands. - We, however, were “ better prepared. Mr. Newton produced " the papers that authenticate your birth; " he offered to bring a witneſs who was • preſent when Mr. Mowbray was inarried 66 to Miſs Stavordale; nay even the clergy- « man who performed the ceremony at Paris, or and who is found to be actually living in « Weſtmoreland. The hand writing of your “ father is eaſily proved; and Mr. Newton, * ſummoning up briefly all the corroborating “teſti- THE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE. 327 " teftimonies that exiſt of your right to the « Mowbray eſtate, concluded by telling Lord' “ Montreville, that at the end of iwo days “ he ſhould wait upon his Lordſhip for his “ determination, whether he would diſpute it “ in a court of law or ſettle it amicably - " with me on behalf of his niece. · Newton " then left. us; and I deſired your uncle 6 to allow me a few moments private con- “ verſation ; which, as he could not refuſe “it, obliged old Crofts, and that formal “ blockhead his ſon, to leave us alone to- “ gether. I then repreſented to him how “ greatly his character muſt ſuffer ſhould the “ affair become public. That tho' I be- « lieved myſelf he was really ignorant of the “circumſtances which gave you, from the « moment of your father's death, an una' “ doubted claim to the whole of his fortune, 6 yet that the world will not believe it; but “ will conſider him as a man fo cruelly infa- of tiable, ſo ſhamefully unjuſt, as to take " advantage of a defenceleſs orphan to ac- " cumulate riches he did not want, and had “ no right to enjoy. I added, that if nota' “ withſtanding he choſe to go into court, he “muſt 328 Ε Μ Μ Ε Σ 1 Ν Σ; “ muſt excuſe me if I forgot the near con- 't nection I had with him, and appeared “ publicly as t'e affertor of your claim, and “ of courſe as his enemy. « The Marquis ſeemed very much hurt at “ the peremptory ſtyle in which I thought “ myſelf obliged to ſpeak. He declined. "giving any poſitive anſwer ; ſaying, only, " that he muſt conſult his wife and his ſon ; “ What the former faid, I know not; but the “ latter, generous in his nature, and adoring " you, proteſted to his father that he would “ himſelf, as your next neareſt relation, join " in the ſuit againft him, if the eſtate was o not immediately given up. This ſpirited “ reſolution of Lord Delamere, and the opio " nions of ſeveral eminent lawyers whom “ Sir Richard was ſent to conſult, at length « brought Lord Montreville to a reſolution: “ before the expiration of the two days; and “ Jaſt night I received a letter from-hiin, to « ſay that he would, on Monday next, aca' “ count with you, and put you in poffeffion « of your eſtate; the management of which, “ however, and the care of your perſon, he “ ſhould reſerve to himſelf 'till you were of S age.” “ Good 330 , E M M E LINE, where it was not encreaſed by the entrance of Lord Delamere, which happened foon afterwards. The very ill ſtate of health indicated by his appearance, extremely hurt her. Nor was ſhe leſs affected by his addreſs to her, fo expreſſive of the deepeit anguiſh and re- gret. She could not bear to receive him with haughtineſs and coldneſs; but mildly, and with finiles, returned the queſtions he put to her on common ſubjects. His cha- grin ſeemed to wear off; and hope, which Emmeline as little wiſhed to give, again re- animated in ſome degree his melancholy countenance. . - The next day, and again the next, he came to Lord Weſthaven's; but Emmeline cautiouſly avoided any converſation with him to which the whole company were not wit neſſes. Godolphin too was there. Her be- haviour to him was the ſame; and ſhe would ſuffer neither to treat her with any degree of particularity. Godolphin,' who knew her reaſon for being reſerved towards bim, was content; and Delamere, who ſuf- pected not how dangerous a rival he had, was THE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE. 331 as was compelled to remain on the footing only of a relation; ftill hoping that time and perſeverance might reſtore him to the hap- pineſs he had loſt. . Monday now arrived, and Emmeline was to wait on her uncle in Berkley-ſquare. At twelve o'clock Lord Weſthaven was ready. Emmeline was led by him into the coach. They took up Mr. Newton in Lincolns-inn; and then went to their rendezvous. Emme- line trembled as Lord Weſthaven took her up ſtairs. She remembered the terror The had once before ſuffered in the ſame houſe; and when ſhe entered the drawing-room, could hardly ſupport herſelf. , The Marquis, with Sir Richard Crofts, his eldeſt ſon, and Lord Delamere, with two ftewards and a lawyer, were already there. Lord Montreville coldly and gravely re- turned his niece's compliments ; Sir Richard · malignantly eyed her from the corners of his eyes, obfcured by fat; and Crofts put on a look of pompous fagacity and conſee quential knowledge; while Lord Delamere, who would willingly have parted with the whole of his paternal fortune rather than with her, THE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE. 333 « here. However my daughter, Lady Weſt- “ haven, will of.courſe be happy to have you Ortenain with her till you have fixed on ſome “ plan of life, or till you are of age.". .? « Not only till Miſs Mowbray is of age, " my Lord, but ever, both Lady Weſthaven “ and myſelf ſhould be gratified by having “ her with us,” ſaid Lord Weſthaven. To this no anſwer was given; and a long ſi- lence enſued. Emmeline felt diſtreſſed; and at length faid “I believe, my Lord, Lady Weſthaven will expect us." They then roſe; and taking a formal leave of the Marquis, were allowed to leave the room. Lord Delamere, however, took Em- meline's hand, and as he led her to the coach implored her to indulge him with one mo- ment's convertation at any hour when they might not be interrupted. But with great firmnels, yet with great ſweetneſs, ſhe told him that ſhe muſt be forgiven if the adhered to a reſolution ſhe had made to give no audi- ence on the topic he wiſhed to ſpeak upon, for many months to come. . . 75 Almoſt two years.!” exclaimed he-".al- “ moſt 334 E MM E LINE, “ moſt two long years muſt I wait, without “knowing whether, at the end of that time, “ you will hear and pity me! Ah! can you, “ Emmeline, perſiſt in ſuch cruelty ?” “ A good morning to your Lordſhip,” ſaid ſhe, as ſhe got into the coach. : " Will you dine with us, Delamere?” aſked, Lord Weſthaven. “ Yes; and will go home with you now, 6 and dreſs in Groſvenor ſtreet.” He then gave ſome orders to his ſervants, and ſtepped into the coach. " I never was leſs diſpoſed in my life," ſaid he, "to rejoin a party, than I am to go back “ to thoſe grave perſonages up ſtairs. It is with the utmoſt difficulty I cominand my. " temper to meet thoſe Crofts' on the moſt “ neceſſary buſineſs. My blood boils, my “ ſoul recoils at them!” .« Pooh, pooh !” cried Lord Weſthaven, « you are always taking unreaſonable averſions. “ Your blood is always boiling at ſome body “ or other. I tell you, the Crofts' are good “ neceſſary, plodding people. Not too re- “fined, perhaps, in points of honour, nor too “ ítrict in thoſe of honeſty; but excellent at *. « the 'THE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE. 335 the main chance, as you may ſee by what “they have done for themſelves.” Delamere then uttered againſt them a dreadful execration, and went on to deſcribe the whole family with great ſeverity and with great truth, 'till he at length talked himſelf into a violent paſſion; and Lord Weſthaven with difficulty brought hiin to be calm by the time they had fet down Mr. Newton and ſtopped at his own door. At the ſame inſtant Lord Weſthaven's coach arrived there, a ſplendid chariot, moſt elegantly decorated, came up alſo. Delainere, ſtruck with it's brilliancy, looked at the arms and ſaw, his own. Looking into it, he changed countenance, and ſaid to Lord Wefthaven-" Upon my “word! Crofts' wife and your Swiſs relation, “ de Bellozane!” “ Crofes' wife?" .. “ Aye. I mean the woman who was once 6. Fanny Delamere, my ſiſter," “ Come, Delainere, forget theſe heartburn- “ings, and remember that ſhe is your ſiſter 66 ſtill." “I ſhould be glad to know (if it were “ worth my while to enquire) what buſineſs « Bellozane has with her?") By 336 E M M E LINE, By this time they were in the houſe, where Lady Frances and the Chevalier arrived alſo. Lord Weſthaven met them with his uſual politeneſs; but Delamere only nightly touched his hat to Bellozane, and ſternly faluted his fuſterwith“your ſervant Lady Frances Crofts !" He then paſſed thein, and went into Lord Wefthaven's dreſſing room; while her Lady- fhip, regardleſs of his diſpleaſure, and affecting the utmoſt gaiety, talked and laughed with Lord Weſthaven as ſhe went up ſtairs. Em. meline followed them, liſtening to the whiſ- pered compliments of Bellozane with great coldneſs; and Lady Frances, entering with a faſhionable flounce the drawing room where her fifter was, cried Well child, how are “ you? I beg your pardon for not coming to “ enquire after you ſooner. But I have had “ ſuch crouds of company at Belleville Lodge, " that it was impoſſible to eſcape. And here's “ this animal here, this relation of your Lord's, “ really haunts me; ſo I was forced at laſt to “ bring him with me." This ſpeech was ac- companied by a ſignificant finile directed to all Bellozane. Lady Weſthaven, checked by ſuch an ad- dreſs are 333 EMM ILI NE, , " comes thither, as he ſometimes does of a & Friday or Saturday, he finds nie too much “ engaged to know whether he is there or not. “ I believe, tho', he is very well; and I think " the laſt time I ſaw him he was nearly as v lively and amuſing as he uſually is. Don't " you think he was, Bellozane?” . "O! aſſurement cui," replied the Chevalier, fneeringly, “ Monſieur Crof a toujours 136 beaucoup de vivacité. C'eſt un homme fort " amuſant ce Monſieur Crof."* : Lady Weſthaven, diſguſted, ſhocked, and amazed, had no power to take any ſhare in ſuch a dialogue; and Lady Frances went on. « Well! but now I aſſure you, Auguſta, “ I'ın going to be moſt uncommonly good; 26 and am coming, tho''tis a terrible heavy un. " dertaking, to paſs a whole week, without " company, with mon tres cher Mari, in Bur- " lington ſtreet. Nay, I will go ſtill farther, có and make a family party with you to the « play, which I generally deteſt of all things." “ That is being really very kind," ſaid Lady Weſthaven. “But ſince you are fo ten- *Oh! certainly. Mr. Crofts is always very ſprightly. A moſt entertaining perſonage. “ derly THE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE. 39 « derly diſpoſed towards your own family, “ would it not be well if you were to enquire - after my mother ? You know, I ſuppoſe, " how very ill ſhe is; how inuch worſe 'tis «« feared the may be?” “ Yes, I ſhall certainly call,” replied Lady Frances with the utmoſt fang froid, “ before I 6 go home. But as to her illneſs, you are “ frightened at nothing. She has only her old “ complaints.” " Her old complaints! And are not they « enough? If I were in a ſituation to be uſeful " to her; or even as it is, if Lord Weſthaven es would permit me, I ſhould certainly think sit my duty conſtantly to attend her.” “ Probably you might. And it is equally " probable that it would be of no uſe if you « did. She has Brackley, and all her own “ people about her; and no more could be s done for her, even tho' you were to hazard s your precious life, or if I, (who you know 66 would not riſk by it that of an heir to an " Earldom) ſhould ſacrifice my eaſe and my “ friends to attend her.” The unfeelingneſs and malignity of this (peech, was ſo extremely diſtreſſing to Lady Q 2 Weſthaven, 340 EM ME LINE, con Weſthaven, that ſhe could hardly cominand her tears. Lord Weſthaven ſaw her emotion, and faid- * Augufta, my love, your ſiſter is too brilliant “ for you. You have not acquired that laſt 66 poliſh of high life, which quite eſfaces all w other feelings; nor will you, perhaps, ever « arrive at it.” « God forbid that I ever ſhould !” cried Lady Weſthaven, unableto conceal her indig, nation. 66 Poor thing!" ſaid Lady Frances, with the moſt unbluſhing aſſurance" You have cu- “rious ideas of domeſtic felicity. And it's a " thouſand pities, that inſtead of being what “ you are, deſtiny had not made you the ſnug, " notable wife of a country parfon, with “ three or four hundred a year. You would “have been pure and happy, to drive about "in a one horſe chaiſe, make cuſtards, walk " tame about the houſe, and bring the good " man a baby every year. But really, you are 56 now quite out of your element.”. She then rang the bell for her carriage; which being foon ready, ſhe gaily wiſhed her ſiſter good day, and the Chevalier handed her down ftairs; THE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE. 741 ſtairs; where, as ſhe deſcended, ſhe ſaid, loud enough to be heard, « S'il y'a une choſe au «6 monde que je deteſte plus qu'un notre, c'eſt la 66 triſteſſe d'une ſocieté comme cela.”* The Chevalier aſſented with his lips; but his heart and his wiſhes were Aed towards Emmeline. He was, however, ſo engaged with her proud and infolent rival, that he no longer dared openly to avow his predilection for her; and Lady Frances ſeemed ſo ſure of the ſtrength of that attachment which was her diſgrace, that The brought himn on purpoſe where Emmeline was, to ſhew how little ſhe apprehended his defeétion. Lord Weſthaven, after pauſing a ſecond, ran down ſtairs after them ; and juſt as Bello. : zane was ſtepping into the chariot, took him by the arm, and begged to ſpeak to him for two minutes. :: He apologized to Lady Frances, and they went together into a room; where Lord Weſt- haven, with all the warmth which his re- lationíhip authorized, remonſtrated againſt his ſtay in England; repreſented the expence and * * If there is any thing in the world I utterly deteſt, 'tis ſuch diſmal ſociety as that, R3 uneaſineſs 342 L M M E LINE, uneaſineſs it muſt occafion to the good old Baron; and above all, exhorted him to fly im. mediately from the dangerous fociety of Lady Frances Crofts. : Bellozane received this advice from his couſin with a very ill grace. He ſaid, that he could not diſcover why his Lordſhip afſumedan authority over him, or pretended eitherto blame his paſt conduct or dictate his future. That he came to England a ſtranger; brought there by his honourable paſſion for Miſs Mowbray, which he had a right to purſue ; but that Mr. Godolphin, who was his only relation then in England, had either from accident or de- ſign ſhewn him very little attention; while Lady Frances had, with the moft winning boneteté, invited him to her houſe, and fup- plied the want of that hoſpitality which his own family had not afforded him. And that infinitely obliged as he was to her, he ſhould ill brook any reflection on a woman of honour and his friend. “But my Lord,” added he, “ ifyour Lord- s fhip will allow me to viſit here, as Miſs « Mowbray's favoured lover, I will not only s drop the acquaintance of Lady Frances, « but THE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE, 343 3 “ but will put myſelf entirely under your “Lordſhip's direction.” Lord Wethaven, piqued and provoked, anſwered that he had no power whatever " to direct Miſs Mowbray; and if he had, « ſhould never adviſe her to receive him. Be 66 aflured, Monſieur le Chevalier, that you “ have no chance of ever being acceptable to " her, and you muſt think ng more of her.” Bellozane, equally impatient of advice and contradiction, burft from him, and went back to Lady Frances in a very ill humour, · Delainere, who had been dreiling while his eldeſt ſiſter remained, now joined Lady Weſt- haven and Emnieline in the drawing room. Thither alſo came Lady Adelina; who, dur. ing the five days they had been in town had not been well enough till this day to dine bo- low. She was now languid and faint, and obliged to retire, as ſoon as the cloth was removed to her own room. Emmeline attended her; and when they were alone together, ſhe coin- plained of finding herſelf every day more in- diſpoſed. “ The air of London,” ſaid ſhe, Q4 66 is. 344 Ε Μ Μ Ε Σ Ι Ν Ε, “ is 110t good for my child. I cannot help “fincying he droops already. And the ronoile of a houſe where there are' unavoid- os ably fo many viſitors, and ſuch a multitude ss of ſervants, is too much for my fpirits. As “ Lord Weſthaven is deſirous of my ſtaying "s in London till my ſiſter Clancarryl arrives, " that we meet altogether after being ſo many “ years divided, I will not preſs my return “to Eaſt Cliff; but I wiſh he would allow me " to go to ſome village near London, where "I may occaſionally enjoy folitude and ſi- “ lence; for I have that upon my heart, Em- “ meline, that demands both.” Eimeline communicated her wiſh to Go- dolphin the ſame evening; who undertook to ſettle it with Lord Weſthaven as his ſiſter de- fired; and the next day Lady Adelina and her little boy removed to Highgate, where her brother had procured her a handſome lodg- ing; and quitting thoſe he uſually occupied in town, he went to reſide with her. After having been there a few days, ſhe ſent to Einmeline the following letter, which the deſired might be delivered by her own hand. 66 TO THE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE, 345 “ To the Honourable George Fitz-Edward. “ I have thus long forborne to anſwer your 6 letter, becauſe I have not till now been able 6 to collect that ſtrength of mind which is 6 neceſſary, when I am to obey the inexora. “ ble duty that tears me from you for ever! " That you yet love me well enough to fo- “ licit my hand, is I own moſt ſoothing and « conſolatory. But where, Fitz-Edward, is “the Lethean cup, without which you cannot « eſteem me? without which I cannot efteem 6s myſelf? No! I am not worthy the honour 66 of being your wife! It is fit niy fault be “. puniſhed-puniſhed by the cruel obligation 66 it lays me under of renouncing the man I. « love! or Fitz-Edward, I will not diffemble! I can. « not, if I would! My affection for you is, “ become a part of my exiſtence, and can. 6.end but in the grave. Under the dread of “ your infidelity or your danger, my reaſon 66. was too weak to ſupport me. Now that I “have no longer any apprehenſions of either,. “my reaſon is returned it is returned to " thew me all my wretchedneſs, and to afford Q5. “ me 346 L M M E LINE, “me that light by which I muſt plunge a “ dagger into my own boſom. “ Had I, however, no objections on my “ own account, there is one that on another “ appears inſuperable. Were the marriage “ you ſolicit to take place, and to be fol- " lowed by a family, could I bear that iny “ William, the delight and ſupport of my life, thould-be as an alien in his father's “ houſe, and either appear as the ſon of Go. “ dolphin or learn to bluſh for his mother. “ We muſt part, Fitz-Edward! Indeed we “ muſt! Or if we inuſt meet, do you at leaſt “ forget that we ever met before. “I know that the daughter of Lord Weſt- “haven, in youth, beauty, and innocence, “ would not have been, however portionleſs, " unworthy of you. But what would you re- " ceive in the widow of Trelawny? A mind “ unſettled by guilt and ſorrow; ſpirits which “ have loſt all reliſh for felicity; a blemiſhed, “ if not a ruined reputation, a faded perſon, “ and an exhauſted heart-exhauſted of al. “ moſt every ſentiment but that fo fatally pre- “ dominant which now forces me to blot my “ paper with tears as I write this laſt farewel ! “ Farewel! THE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE. 347 . * Farewel! moſt beloved Fitz-Edward !-. “Ah! try if it be poſſible to be happy! Be al affured I wiſh it; even tho' it be neceffary w for that end to drive from your meinory, « for ever, the loſt 66 ADELINA TRELAWNY.", ents . · Emmeline, to whom this letter was ſent open, could not but approve the ſentiments ic contained, while her heart bled for the pain it muſt have coſt Lady Adelina, and for that which it muſt inflict on Fitz-Edward. When ſhe had diſpatched a note to his. lodgings, to name an early hour the next clay for ſpeaking to him, ſhe went down into the drawing room, where a large party of company were already aſſembled. Emmeline, to avoid a particular converſation with Lord Delamere, which he inceſſantly ſolicited, placed herſelf near one of the card tables; when, at a late hour of the evening, dreſſed in the utmoſt exuberance of falhion, blazing in jewels anál blooming in rouge, entered Mrs. James Crofts, followed by the two eldeſt of her daughters; the eldeſt, dreit in the character of Charlotta in the Sorrows of Werter; and the youngeſt, Q 6 348 £ M M E L I NE, as Emma, the nut brown maid. Their air and manner were adapted, as they believed, to the figures of thoſe characters as they ap-. pear in the print ſhops; and their exceſſive affectation, together with the blazing appear- ance of their mama, nearly conquered the gra- vity of Emmeline and of many other of the company. While Mrs. Crofts paid her compliments to Lady Weſthaven and Emmeline, and gave herſelf all thoſe airs which ſhe believed put her upon an equality with the circle ſhe was in, the two Milles anxiouſly watched the im- preffion which they concluded their charms muſt make on the gentlemen preſent. Their mama had told them that moſt likely all of them were Lords, or Lords fons at leaſt; and the girls were not without hopes, that among them there might be ſome of that ſpecies of men of quality, whom modern noveliſts deſcribe as. being in the habit of carrying forcibly away, beautiful young creatures, with whom per- chance they become enamoured, and marry- ing them in deſpite of all oppofition. They longed above all things to meet with ſuch as- adventures, and to be carried off by a Lord or a Baronet THE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE. 340 a Baronet at leaſt; whoſe letters afterwards, to. ſome dear Charles or Harry, could not fail to edify the world. After Mrs. Crofts had diſplayed her dreſs, and convinced the company of her being quite in a good ſtyle of life; and when her daughters had committed hoſtilities for near an hour upon the hearts of the gentlemen, they failed out in the ſame ſtate as they entered; nor could all Emmeline's good humour pre- vent her ſmiling at the ſatyrical remarks made on them by ſome of the company; nothing more ſtrongly exciting the ridicule and con- tempt of people of real faſhion than awkward and impotent efforts to imitate them. The next day, Fitz-Edward attended at the hour Emmeline appointed, and received from her the letter of Lady Adelina with a degree of anguiſh which gave great pain to Emmeline and Godolphin. Still, however, he was not quite deprived of hope; but flattered himſelf that the perſuaſions of her fiſter, Lady (lan- carryl (who was now every day expected, with her huſband and family, to paſs the reſt of the winter in London) added to thoſe of Lord Weſthaven, and the good offices of Emmen line, would together prevail on Lady Adelina to 350 EMMELINE, to alter a reſolution which rendered them both wretched. Some weeks, however, paſſed, and the ſtill adhered to it. While the melancholy con- verſation which Emmeline frequently had with Fitz-Edward, and the importunity and unhappineſs of Delamere, deprived her of much of that tranquillity ſhe might otherwiſe have enjoyed; particularly after the recovery of Lady Weſthaven (who preſented her Lord with a fon), and the arrival of Mrs. Stafford and her family from France. Lord Weſthaven, who held a promiſe par- ticularly ſacred when made to the unfortunate, had procured for Mr. Stafford a lucrative em- ployment in the Weſt Indies. Thither he im- . mediately went; and his wife, whoſe ſpirits and health were greatly hurt, was happy to accept the offer Emmeline made her of going down with her children to Mowbray Caſtle. The Marquis of Montreville had preſented his niece with the furniture he had ſent thither, being in truth aſhamed to charge it; there was therefore every thing neceſſary; and there Emmeline intended Mrs. Stafford ſhould reſide 'till the ſhould be eltabliſhed in ſome reſidence THE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE, 351 reſidence agreeable to her; which ſhe in- tended to fix if poſſible near her own; and the now felt all the advantages of that fortune, which enabled her to repay the obligations ſhe owed to her earlieſt friend. CH A P T E R XV. 3 a THE rank, and extenſive connections of 1 Lady Weſthaven, led her unavoidably into a good deal of coinpany. But it was among perſons as reſpectable for their virtues as their ſtation. Emmeline, of courſe, often accompanied her : but almoſt all her morn- ings, and frequently her evenings, were dedi. cated to Lady Adelina ; who hardly ſaw any body but her, Lady Weſthaven, her brothers, and her ſiſter; and never went out but for the air. Godolphin paffed with her much of his time. To the love and pity he had before felt for her, was added veneration and elteem, excited by the heroiſm of her conduct. At her lodgings, too, 352. . E M M E LINE, too, he could ſee Emmeline without the re. ítraile they were under in other places. There, he could talk to her of his love; and there, The conſented to hear him. - Lady Weſthaven went conſtantly every morning to viſit her mother, who had lately been rather better, and whoſe health her phy. ſicians entertained ſome hopes of re-eſtabliſh- ing. Her own unhappy teinper ſeemed to be the chief in pediment to her recovery. Her violent paſſions, unſubdued by ſickneſs and diſ- appointment; her immeaſurable pride, which: even the approach of death could not con- quer, kept her nerves continually on the ſtretch; and allowed her no repoſe of mind, even when her bodily ſufferings were ſul.. pended. That her favourite project of uniting the only ſurviving branches of her own family,. by the marriage of Lord Delaniere and Miſs, Otley, was now for ever at an end, was a per-- petual fource of murmuring and diſcontent. And tho’Emmeline had as fplendid a fortune, with a perſon and a mind infinitely more lovely, her Ladyſhip could not yet prevail upon her- ſelf to deſire, that the name for which ſhe felt fuch proud veneration, and the fortune of her OWN THE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE. 352 own illuſtrious anceſtors, ſhould be enjoyed, or carried down to poſterity by her, who had become the object of her capricious but inve- terate diſlike. · Emmeline was very glad that the Mar- chioneſs thro’jprejudice, and her uncle thro' ſhame, forbore to perfecute her in favour of their ſon. But tho' perfectly aware of the antipathy Lady Montreville entertained te- wards her, the yet thewed her all the attention The would receive; and would even conſtantly have waited on her, had the not expreſſed more pain than pleaſure in her preſence. Lady Frances Crofts, by this time fixed in Burlington firect for the winter, called now and then on her mother; but her viſits were ſhort and cold. It unfortunately happened, that the Marchioneſs, whoſe amuſement was now almoſt ſolely confined to reading the daily prints, had found in one of them a pa- ragraph evidently pointed at the intimacy ſubhilling between Lady Frances and the Che- valier de Bellozane, which had long been the topic of public ſcandal. Lady Frances called upon her while her mind was under the firſt impreſſion of this diſgraceful THE OR PHAN OF THE CASTLE. 355 tive; and nothing but his father's anguiſh, and even tears, prevented his flying directly to him to execute that vengeance which his mother had dictated. She herſelf, in the vio- lence of her paſſion, had overlooked the con- fequence of putting this aifair into the hands of the inconfiderate and headlong Delainere; but when ſhe ſaw him thus inflamed, terror for him, was added to refentment againſt her daughter; and altogether produced ſuch an effect on her broken conſtitution, that in a few days afterwards her complaints returned with great violence, and all remedies proving ineffectual, the expired in leſs than a fort- night; Lady Weſthaven and Einmeline at- tending on her themſelves for the laſt four or five days. But the was inſenſible; and knew neither of them. Delamere, very fond of his mother, and whoſe feelings were painfully acute, ſuffered for many days the moſt violent paroxyſins of grief; yet it was a conſiderable alleviation to reflect that he had not finally been the cauſe of her death. Lord Montre- ville bore it with more compoſure. And the ſofter, tho' dcep forrow of Lady Weſthaven, found relief in the conſtant and tender atten- tion 356 EMMELINE, C tion of her Lord, and the ſympathy of Em. meline. Lady Frances Crofts, not inſenſible to re- morſe, but reſolutely ſtifling it, affected to hear the news with proper concern, yet as what had been for many montlis expected. She ſent conſtantly to enquire after her father; and the Marquis hoping that while her mind was foftened by ſuch a mournful event his remonſtrance might make a deeper impreſſion, determined to go to her; and the day after the remains of the Marchioneſs had been carried to the family vault of the Delameres, he took his chair, and went to Burlington ſtreet. . . On entering the houſe, the ſervants, who concluded he came to Mr. Crofts, were tak- ing him into thoſe apartments below which their maſter occupied. But his Lordſhip told them lie muſt ſpeak to their lady. Her pwn footman ſaid her Ladyſhip had given or- de s to be denied. “To her father, puppy?"-faid Lord Mon- treville. "Where is ſhe?” “ In her dreſſing room, my Lord.” He then pailed alone up ſtairs. As he went, he heard the voice of laughter and gaiety, and THE THEO ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE. 357 001 and was more thocked than ſurpriſed, when, on opening the door, he ſaw Lady Frances in a inorning diſhabille, and the Chevalier de Bellozane making her tea. At the entrance of her father thus unexpectedly, ſhe changed colour; but ſoon aſſuming her uſual aflured manner, ſaid the was glad to ſee his Lordſhip well enough to coine out. " Diſmiſs this young man,” ſaid he ſternly. “ I inuſt ſpeak to you alone." “ Va mon ami,” cried Lady Frances, with the utmoſt eaſe,“ pour quelques moment.” - Bellozane left the room; and then Lord Montreville, with paternal affection, tried to move her. But ſhe had conquered her feel- ings; and anſwered with great calmneſs- " That conſcious of her own innocence, ſhe " was quite indifferent to the opinion of the “ world. And that tho' lhe certainly wiſhed “to be upon good terms with her own family, “ yet if any part of it choſe to think ill of her, “ it muſt be entirely from prejudice, which " it was little worth her while to atteinpt re- “ moving." Lord: Montreville, now provoked beyond all endurance, gave way to the indignation with 358 E M M E LINE, with which he was inflamed, and denounced his malediction againſt her, if ſhe did not im- mediately diſmiſs Bellozane and regulate her manner of life. She heard him with the moſt callous inſenſibility, and let him depart with- out making any attempt to appeaſe his anger or calm his apprehenſions. From her, he went down to Crofts; to whom he forcibly. repreſented the neceſſity there was for putting an immediate ſtop to the ſcandal which the conduct of his wife occaſioned. Pufillani- mous and mean-ſpirited, Crofts choſe neither to riſk his perſonal ſafety with the Chevalier, nor the diminution of his fortune by atteinpt ing to procure a divorce, that would have compelled him to have returned what he loved much better than honor. He ſaw many others do extremely well, and mightily reſpected, whoſe wives were yet gayer than his own; and convinced that while he had money he ſhould always obtain as much regard as he deſired, he rather excuſed to Lord Montreville the conduct of Lady Frances than ſhewed any diſpoſition to reſent it. The Marquis left himn with contempt, and ordered his chair to Lord Weſthaven's. As THE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE. 359 As he went, he could not forbear reflecting on the contraſt between his eldeſt and youngeſt daughter, and between his eldeſt daughter and his niece. He grew extremely anxious for Lord Delamere's marriage with Emmeline; ſure of finding, in her only an honour to his family, which might conſole him for his pre- ſent misfortunes. And he deeply regretted that infatuation which had blinded him to her ſuperior merir, and hazarded loſing her for ever. Diſguſted already with the Crofts,' he remembered that it had been in a great meaſure owing to them, and he thought of them only with repentance and diſlike. He faw Lord Weſthaven alone; and re- lating to him all that had paſſed that morning, beſought him to conſider what could be done to divide Bellozane from Lady Frances Crofts. Lord Weithaven had ſeen and heard too much of the intimacy between them. He was extremely hurt that ſo near a relation of his own ſhould occafion ſuch uneaſineſs in the family of his wife; but as he had not invited him over, and always diſcouraged his ſtay, • he had on that head nothing with which to reproach himſelf. And all he could now do, was, 360 E M M E L I NE, was, to undertake to ſpeak again to Bellozane; and to write to the Baron de St. Alpin, eni- treating him to preſs the return of his ſon to Switzerland. His Lordſhip entered warmly into the apprehenſions of Lord Montreville; and promiſed to uſe all his influence with Delamere to prevent his running rafhly into a quarrel with a young man as paſiionate and as violent as himſelf. Lord Montreville then ſpoke of Emme- line; and expreſſed his wiſhes that the union between her and his ſon might ſpeedily be accompliſhed. But on this ſubject Lord Weſt- haven gave him very little hopes. Tho’Em- nieline had done her utmoſt to conceal even from Lord and Lady Weſthaven the true ſtate of her heart, his Lord hip had, in their frequent conferences on her airairs, clearly perceived what were her ſentiments. But ſince they were in favour of his brother, he could not think of attempting to alter them, how- ever forry for Delainere; and could only de- termine to obſerve an abſolute neutrality. He did not communicate to the Marquis all he thought; but told him in general, that Emmeline ſeemed at preſent averſe to every propoſal n te THE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE. 301 propoſal of marriage, and firm in the reſolu. tion ſhe had made, to remain ſingle 'till the had completed her twenty-firſt year. Lord Weſthaven ſent for Bellozane ; who had lately been leſs frequent in his viſits at Groſ- venor-ſtreet, and ſeemed to reſent the cold- neſs with which his couſins received him, and to have conceived great anger at the reſerve and even averſion with which Emmeline treated him. The ſervant whom his Lord- fhip diſpatched with a note to Bellozane, returned in about ten minutes, and ſaid that the Chevalier was gone to Bath. Lord Weſt- haven now hoped that for ſome time the in- tercourſe which had given fuch offence, and occaſioned ſuch miſery, would be at an end. In the afternoon, however, Crofts caine in; and on Lady Weſthaven's enquiry after her ſiſter, he told her that ſhe was going that after- noon to Speenhamland in her way to Bath. Conduct, ſo glaringly improper and unfeeling, a defiance ſo bold to the opinions of the world and the common decencies of ſociety, ex- tremely hurt both her Ladyſhip and her Lord. The latter, however, found ſome fatisfaction VOL. IV. R in 362 : EMMELINE, in reflecting that at leaſt Delamere and Bela lozane could not immediately meet. , Above a inonth now paſſed with as much tranquillity as the ardent ſupplications of De- lainere to Emmeline would admit. Lord and Lady Clancarryl, with their family, arrived in London to paſs the reſt of the winter; and Lady Adelina, inſenſibly won from her re- tirement by the pleaſure of meeting at once her ſiſter and her two brothers, ſeeined to be in better health, and ſometimes in better ſpirits. As ſhe was now frequently induced to join theſe charming family parties, ſhe was obliged to ſee Fitz-Edward among theni ; and he entertained new hopes that ſhe would at length conquer her ſcruples and accept his hand. She carefully, however, avoided all converſation with him but in mixed company; and Emmeline being continually with her, they were equally prevented from hearing, with any degree of particularity, Godolphin or Fitz-Edward. . The Marchioneſs of Montreville had now been dead almoſt two months; and Lady Weſthaven, who from reſpect to her memory had hitherto forborne to appear in public, was THE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE. 363 tvas prevailed upon to go to a new play; for the author of which, a nobleman, one of her friends, being particularly intereſted, pre- vailed on all the people of faſhion and taſte whom he knew to attend on the third night of it's repreſentation. Lady Wefthaven, Lady Clancarryl, and Emmeline, were by his earneſt entreaties prevailed upon to be among them. But as Lord Weſthaven, Lord Clancarryl, Godolphin, and Fitz-Edward, were abſent, being gone altogether to the ſeat of the former, in Kent, for a few days, they foreſaw but lit- tle pleaſure in the party; and Lady Weſt- haven expreſſed even a reluctance for which ſhe knew not how to account. The eagerneſs of Lord to ſerve his friend at length over- ruled her objections. His Lordſhip himſelf and Lord Delamere were to attend them; and they were to be joined by ſome other la- dies there. The ſtage box had been retained for them; and they proceeded to the play- houſe, where they were hardly ſeated, before Lady Weſthaven faw, with infinite mortifica- tion and alarm, her ſiſter, Lady Frances Crofts, enter the next box, handed by the Chevalier de Bellozane, and accompanied by a lady of R2 faſhion CI 364 EMMELINE, faſhion indeed, but of very equivocal charac- ter, with whom ſhe had lately contracted a great intimacy. All attention to the play was now at an end. Incapable of receiving amuſement, Lady Weſthaven would inſtantly have returned home; and Emmeline, who ſaw rage and fierceneſs in the countenance of Lord Delamere, was equally anxious to do ſo. But they knew not how to account for ſuch a with to their party without making their fears pub- lic; and while they deliberated how to act, the play went on. Lady Frances, as if quite un- conſcious of any impropriety in her conduct, ſpoke to them and to Delamere. They forced themſelves to anſwer her with civility; but her brother, turning from her, darted an angry look at Bellozane, and went to the other ſide of the houſe. 'He from thence watched with indignation the familiar whiſpers which paſſed between her and the Chevalier; and reflecting on the recent death of his mother, which had been haftened if not occaſioned by this connecy tion, remembering how greatly the ſufferings of her laſt hours had been embittered by it, and re- calling to his memory a thouſand other cauſes of anger againſt Bellozane, he heated his ima- gination THE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE. 365 gination with the review of theſe injuries, til) he raiſed himſelf into an agony of paſiion, which it was ſoon impoſſible for him, had he been ſo diſpoſed, to reſtrain. · A very few minutes after the play ended, Lady Weſthaven, impatient to get away be- fore her ſiſter, beckoned to Delamere; and finding her fervants ready, told her party ſhe was too much tired to ſtay the entertainment; and roſe with Emmeline to go. Lord - led her Ladyſhip, and Delamere took the hand of Emmeline. The two former walked haſtily thro’ the lobby. But as the two latter fol- lowed, they were ſuddenly ſtopped by Rochely, who, making one of his folemn bows, ad. vanced cloſe to Emmeline, and with great compoſure congratulated her in his uſual flow and monotonous manner, on her late acquiſi- tions; aſſured her of his great reſpect and eſteem; and added, that as he underſtood The would, when the came of age, be pofſefied of . a large ſum of money, he flattered himſelf the would allow him to manage it for her, as Lord: Montreville at preſent did; declaring that nobody could be more attentive to the intereſt of his cuſtomers. The profound gravity with R 3 which, S THE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE. 367 The fiery Frenchman recovering his footing, turned fiercely to Delamere, and aſked, in French, what he meant? Lord Delamere, in the ſame language, replied, that he meant to tell him he was a ſcoundrel. Inſtantly a mu. tual blow was exchanged. The ſhrieks of Emmeline brought the ſentinels; who, toge- ther with the croud which iminediately ga- thered, forced them from each other. Lord who had taken care of Lady Weſthaven to her coach, alarmed at Einme- kine's not joining them, and at the noiſe he heard, now came back to ſee what was the matter. He met her, more dead than alive, coming towards him, attended by a ſtranger: and ſhe had juſt breath enough to implore him not to think of her, but to find Lord Dela- mere, and try to prevent the fatal conſequence of what had juſt happened. Leaving her to the care of the gentleman he had found her with, who almoſt ſupported her to the coach, his Lordſhip went forward in queſt of Delamere, whom he met with two. or three other gentlemen. Bellozane, after Itating to them che affront he had received, and giving Lord Delamere a card, had re- R 4 turned THE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE. 369 Ice alliſt and conſole her, Lord , inſtead of returning to his own family, now ſent a foot- man to deſire they would go home without him; and remaining in Lady Weſthaven's carriage, directed it to be driven with the ut- moſt ſpeed to Groſvenor ſtreet; and as they went, attempted to appeaſe the agonizing, fears of them both, by perſuading them that they might find Lord Delamere at home be- fore them. They knew too well the ferocity with which he was capable of purſuing his vengeance when it was once awakened; and arrived at home in ſuch diſorder, that neither could ſpeak. The coach, however, no ſooner ſtopped than: fomebody ran out. They had no power to aſk who; but the voice was that of Godolphin ; who finding his brother likely to be detained two days longer, and exiſting only while he could ſee Emineline every hour, had returned alone to town, and now waited their arrival from the play. He was aſto- niſned at the ſituation he found them in, as he aſlifted them out of the carriage. He received, however, a brief account of the cauſe from Lord --; while Lady Weſthaven, a little recovered by the fight of Godolphin and the R 5 hartſhorn THE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE. 371. 21 while he went himſelf to the lodgings of Bel- lozane. Bellozane, he learnt, came from Bath only that morning, and had dreſſed at his lodgings, but had not been there fince... He now flew to the houſe of Lady Frances Crofts. Mr. Crofts was gone down to his fa- ther's; and Lady Frances, who had come from Bath the ſame day, had dined with her friend, and was to be ſet down by her carriage after fupper. Eagerly aſking the name of this friend, he was directed to Charlotte ſtreet, Oxford ſtreet; where on haltening he found Lady Frances, who was vainly attempting to conquer the terrors that poffefſed her. Bello zane, he heard, had procured chairs for her and the lady with her, at the ſtage door, and had there wilhed them a good night, tho they had both intreated of him to go home with them. They added, that they had res fuſed to let him look for their carriage, which was driven off in the croud, leaft he thould meet with Delamere; but were greatly afraid he had gone back to the avenues of the play- houſe with that deſign. Godolphin, however unpromiſing his ſearch yet appeared, deter- mined not to relinquiſh it. But while he con- tinued R6 372 EMMELINE, 1.1 tinued running from place to place, Lady Weſthaven and Emmeline ſat liſtening to every noiſe, and terrifying themfelves with conjectures the moſt dreadful. Almoſt as foon as Godolphin was gone, they had con- jured Lord to go on the ſame ſearch. But he returned not; and of Godolphin they heard nothing. Even the late hours when faſhion- able parties break up, now paſſed by. Every coach that approached made them tremble between hope and fear; but it rolled away to a diſtance. Another and another paſſed, and their dreadful ſuſpence ſtill continued. Em- meline would have perfuaded Lady Weſt- haven to go to bed; but nothing could in- duce her to think of it. She ſometimes tra- verſed the room with hurried ſteps; fometimes fat liſtening at the window; and ſometimes ran out to the ſtair caſe, where all the ſervants except those who had been diſpatched in pur- ſuit of Lord Delamere were aſſembled }: The ſtreets were now quiet; the watch called a quarter paſt five; and convinced that if ſomething fatal had not happened ſome body would have returned to them by this time, their terror grew inſupportable. A quick rap was e THE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE, 373 was now heard at the door. Emmeline flew to the ſtairs - Is it Lord Delamere?”,“No, “ Madam,” replied a ſervant, “ it is Captain « Godolphin.”. Afraid of aſking, yet unable to bear another moment of ſuſpence, ſhe flew down part of the ſtairs. Godolphin, with a countenance paler than death, caught her in his arms -- Whither would you go?” cried he, trembling as he fpoke. 1.... - " Have you found-Delamere?” " I have.” i ...“ Alive and well?” ." Alive-but" , "Oh! God! but what?" “Wounded, I fear, to death. Keep his fifter from knowing it too ſuddenly." That was almoſt impoffible. Lady Weft. haven had at firſt ſat down in the drawing room in that breathleſs agony which precluded the power of enquiry; then loſing her weak- neſs in deſperation, ſhe ran down, determined to know the worſt, and was already on the ftairs, i , . Emmeline, white and faint, leaned on Go- dolphin-"Where is he, where is my brother?” cried Lady Weſthaven, Godolphin 374 L M M L L I NE, IL : Godolphin beckoned to the ſervants to allift him in getting her up ſtairs. After a moment, they were all in the drawing room. "Tell me," cried fhe, with an accent and look of deſpair-" Tell me, for I will know! « You have ſeen my brother; he is killed ! " I know he is killed !” 66 He is alive,"anſwered Godolphin, hardly bearing to wound her ears with ſuch intelli- gence as he had to deliver at leaſt he was “ alive when I left him." : ' "Was alive! He is wounded then-and “ dying!" .“ It were ufeleſs and cruel to deceive you. “ I greatly fear he is." Uttering a faint ſhriek, Lady Weſthaven now ſprung towards the door, and proteſted ſhe would go to him wherever he was. Emmeline clung about her, and befought her to be patient-to be pacified.. .: “ Perhaps,” cried ſhe, “his ſituation may c.not be ſo deſperate. Let us rather en- a quire what can be done for him, than in- “ dulge the extravagance of our own de- “ ſpair.” " Ah! tell me, then, where?-how?" Lady 376 EMMELINE,.. “ What little he ſaid was to requeſt that I " would ſtay with him.". " Go then," ſaid Emmeline" we muſt “ do without you. Let him not miſs the « comfort of your preſence.” “ Yes,” anſwered he, “ I muſt indeed go.” Emmeline, leaving Lady Weſthaven a mo- ment to her woman, followed him out, and he ſaid to her—" Try, I conjure you, my “ Emmeline, to exert yourſelf for the fake “ of your poor friend. Keep her as tranquil “ as you can; and may ye both acquire for- 66 titude to bear, what is, I fear, inevitable!! - Oh! my father!” loudly exclaimed Lady Weſthaven, with a dreadful ſhrieka • Who ſhall dare to announce theſe tidings to you?” “ Send,” continued Godolphin, “ an ex- « preſs to Lord Montreville. He is at Lord « Dornock's; and diſpatch another to my “ brother. · Pray take care of your own “ health. It is now impoſſible for me to “ ſtay-the poor, languiſhing Delamere ex- “ pects me.” He then ran haftily away; and Emmeline, ſtruggling with all her power againſt her own anguiſh, was obliged THE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE. 377 to commit her friend to the care of her fer- vants, while ſhe ſat down to write to Lord Montreville. Her letter contained only two lines. “ My dear Lord, “ Your ſon is very ill. We are much 6c alarmed; and Lady Weſthaven begs you will “ immediately come hither. Do not go to “Berkley-ſquare. “ Emmeline MOWBRAY." Groſvenor-ſtreet, - April 5ih. re 100 This note, ſhort as it was, ſhe had the ut- moſt difficulty to make legible. A ſervant was ſent off with it, who was ordered to arı- fwer no queſtions; and in another ſhort and incoherent note ſhe told to Lord Weſthaven the melancholy truth, and ſent it by expreſs into Kent. Having thus obeyed Godolphin as well as ſhe could; ſhe returned to Lady Weſthaven, who could not be prevailed upon to go to bed, but inſiſted on being allowed to ſee her brother. Emmeline, dreadfully terrified by her obſtinacy, now ſent for the two phyſicians who THE ORPHAN OF THE CASILE. 379 lai n . ter's paramour. Lord Montreville entered the drawing room ; and the wild and pallid looks of his nieceftruck him with ſuch horror, that he could only pronounce with trembling lips the name of Delamere ; and then throwing him- felf into a chair, ſeemed to expect ſhe ſhould tell him what he was unable to aſk. - She approached him; but words failed her, " Delamere !--my ſon!” cried he, in a yoice hollow and tremulous, “He is not dead, my Lord,” " Not dead! wherefore is it then that you “look thus ? Oh! what is it I ain to know." ; Emmeline then briefly related his fituation, as ſhe had heard it froin Godolphin. She had I only ſaid, that tho’ deſperately wounded he yet lived, when Lord Montreville, gazing on her with eyes that beſpake the agony of his ſoul, and feizing her violently by the hand, ſaid 4 Come, then, with me! come to him with 6 me, now, this inftant !" He then burſt out of the room, ſtill taking her with him. She knew not why he wiſhed her to follow; but went, unequal to reſiſtance or enquiry. His chariot was at the door. They both E M M E LINE, got in, and juſt as it was driving away, Mille- fleur ran up to it. . “ Your maſter ?--your maſter ?” ſaid Lord Montreville. Le ':". “ Ah! my Lord, he is-yet living !" : " Yet living !" . “ And Captain Godolphin fent me to fee “ if you was come, in hopes that you might ! ſee hiin.” “Go on!” cried Lord Montreville, with a degree of fierceneſs that made Emmeline ſhudder. The horſes flew. He continued in dreadful and gloomy ſilence, interrupted only by deep groans. Emmeline had no com- fort to offer, and dared not ſpeak to him. At length they arrived at the place. The fervants aſíſted their lord to leave the chariot. Juſt as he got out of it, Dr. Gardner came out; but too much fhocked to be able to ſpeak, he waved his hand to ſay that all was over; and almoſt inſtantly, Godolphin, with a countenance moſt expreſſive of what he felt, came out to him alſo. ' .in, “My dear Lord, your going up will be of “no uſe; ſpare yourſelf fo great a ſhock; and “ fuffer me to attend you home.” . 45. He 00 THE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE. 386 1 * He is dead then?” i . Deep and mournful ſilence told him it was ſo. ?." I will ſee him, however,” ſaid he, puſh- ing by thoſe who would have detained him. , “No, no," cried Emmeline.“ Pray, my “ Lord! pray, my dear uncle !” ?, “ Uncle !” exclaimed he. “ Have I de- “ ſerved to be your uncle? But I am pu- " niſhed-dreadfully, dreadfully puniſhed !" A croud was now gathering; and Godola .phin was compelled to let him proceed ; while he himſelf approached Emmeline, who was left half dead in the chariot. " Ah! attend not to me!” ſaid ſhe. “ Go, " I beg of you, with my poor uncle!” . - Dreadful was the ſcene when the miſerable father beheld the body of his ſon. In that bitter anguiſh which is incapable of tears, he reproached himſelf for the obſtinacy with which, even againſt his own judgment, he had oppoſed his marriage with Emmeline.-" In- “ ſtead of ſeeing thus my hopes blaſted, I might “ have grown old among his children and “ the children of my brother's daughter. But “ I drove her to France; and in conſequence « of that, the ſcourge, the dreadful ſcourge os bas 384 EMMELIN E, lex turned to Emmeline; who, quite overcome by exceſſive terrorand fatigue, had hardly ſtrength to ſpeak to him; and unable to ſupport her, ſelf longer, retired to bed, where a violent fe. ver ſeized her; and for near a week ſhe was ſo alarmingly ill, that Godolphin, in the wildeſt diſtraction, believed he ſaw her ſnatched from hiin by the inexorable hands of death. Lady Adelina came to her the evening after Dela- mere's deceaſe, and never left her bed fide while there was the leaſt appearance of danger; Godolphin continued whole days in the little dreſſing room that adjoined to it; and Fitz-Ed- ward, who inſiſted on attending him during theſe hours of torturing fufpence, was una- voidably frequently in the preſence of Lady Adelina, whoſe every ſentiment was for the time abſorbed in her fear for a life ſo dear to them all. · At length Emmeline, tho' yet too ill to leave her room, was no longer in danger; and Lord Weſthaven, who returned inſtantly to town on hearing the mournful news, helped to appeaſe the violent grief of his wife. But on the more ſettled and ſilent anguiſh of her wretched father, his good offices made not THE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE. 385 not the leaſt impreſſion. He feemed to abhor all thoughts of conſolation; and when the re- mains of poor Delamere were carried to be de- poſired with thoſe of his mother, he ſhut him- ſelf up in total darkneſs, and refuſed to admit even Lady Weſthaven to participate his ſore rows. When ſhe was allowed to pay her duty to him, he conjured her to keep from him the light of any of the Crofts', and that ſhe would prevent even their name being repeated in his preſence. With their viſits there was no danger of his Lordſhip's being offended; for as he had, in conſequence of this family cala- mity, reſigned all the places he held, Sir Richard and his two ſons were already eagerly paying their court to his ſucceſfor; and had entered into new views, and formed new political con- pections, with an avidity which made them equally forgetful of their patron's perſonal afflictions and of that favour to which they owed their ſudden and unmerited elevation. Amidſt all the miſery which the guilty and ſcandalous conduct of his wife had brought upon the family of his benefactor, the point on which Mr. Crofts felt the moſt folicitude, was to know what portion of the Delamere . VOL. IV. ere were eſtate 386 .' f'MME LINE, ! eſtate was irrevocably ſettled in equal diviſions on the daughters, if the Marquis of Montre- ville died without a ſon. The phyſicians now adviſed Lord Weſthaven to carry the Marquis into the country as ſoon as poſſible; where he might enjoy the ſolitude he ſo much deſired, without being excluded from the air, as he was in town, by being confined entirely to his bed chamber and dreſſing room. The fight of any of his own feats; places which he had ſo laviſhly embelliſhed for the reſidence of him who was now no more, he could not yet en- dure; and Lord Weſthaven with ſome diffi- culy prevailed upon him to remove to his houſe in Kent. Thither, therefore, the Mar- quis and Lord Weſthaven's family removed, at the end of a fortnight; but Emmeline, tho'. pretty well recovered, deſired Lady Weſthaven not to inſiſt on being of the party; being con- vinced, that tho’ he tried to ſee her with for- titude, and to behave to her with tenderneſs, the ſight of her was painful to her uncle, and perpetually brought to his mind his own fatal miſconduct in regard to his ſon. ... Lady Weſthaven yielded reluctantly to her reaſons, and departed without her. But THE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE. 387 as her health made her immediate departure from London neceſſary, ſhe went with Lady Adelina to Highgate; who now remained there only for the purpoſe of taking leave of Lord and Lady Clancarryl, who were within a fortnight to return to Ireland. . . In this interval, they heard that Lady Frances Crofts, infatuated ſtill with her paſſion for Bellozane, had followed him to Paris, whither he had fled after his fatal encounter withi her brother. Bellozane, ftung with guilt, and purſued by remorſe, hurried from her with deteſtation; and concealing himſelf in Switzerland, ſaw her no more. For ſome time the continued to live in France in a ſtylo the moit diſgraceful to her family and herſelf. Nobody dared name her to her unhappy fa- ther. But Lord Weſthaven at length inter- pored with Crofts, who, influenced by his au: thority, and ſtill more by his own deſire to leſſen her expences, went over, and found no great difficulty in procuring a lettre de cachet, which confined her during pleaſure to a con- vent. cons S 2 СНАР. 388 , Ε Ν Μ Υ Μ Σ Ε CHAPTER XVI. ro Ir mor o fix fome plan for her future life, I Emmeline now thought abſolutely and immediately neceſſary. To go to Mowbray Caſile appeared the propereſt meaſure ſhe could adopt; and on that the appeared to de- termine. But tho’ ſhe ſtill meant to adhere to her reſolution of remaining ſingle until ſhe became of age, the tender importunity of her lover, the preſſing entreaties of her friends, and her own withcs to make them happy, were every hour more powerfully undermining it. Her mind, ſoftened by grief for the death of poor Delamere, and inore fondly attached than ever to the generous Godolphin, whoſe noble qualities that unhappy event had ſerved to call forth anew, was rendered leſs capable than ever of reſiſting his prayers; and Dela- mere, on whoſe account her determination had been originally made, could now no longer ſuffer by her breaking it. Still, however, ſhe inſiſted upon it that a term little ſhort of what the 390 : M M E LI NE, тето. men;, that his character, connections and con- duct were unexceptionable; and therefore, his Lordſhip added, that tho' he did not know that he could himſelf bear to ſee it, he willed ſhe would not heſitate to complete his happineſs; obſerving, that if ſhe thought it too early after the loſs of fo near a relation, Me might have the ceremony performed with ſuch privacy that only the reſpective fainilies need know of it's celebration. Emmeline, having now no longer a ſubterfuge, was obliged to let Godolphin take his own way. He exerted himſelf ſo anxiouſly to get the deeds completed, that before the end of three weeks they were finiſhed. Lord and Lady Clancarryl prolonged their ſtay on purpoſe; and they, together with Lady Adelina and Fitz-Edward, were preſent at the ceremony. When it was over, Lord and Lady Clancar- ryl took an affectionate leave of the bride and bridegroom, and ſet out for Ireland, accom- panied by Fitz-Edward; who, with the moſt painful reluctance, tearing himſelf from Lady Adelina by her expreſs •deſire, was yet al- lowed to carry with him the hope, that at the end 392 L M M E L IN E, haven left Eaſt Cliff, Mr. and Mrs. Godol- phin and Lady Adelina went to Mowbray Caſtle; where Mrs. Stafford received them with tranſport, and where they were fur- rounded by numberleſs tenants and depen- dants, who bleſſed the hour of it's reſtora- tion to it's benevolent and lovely miſtreſs, as well as that which had given her to a man, who had a heart as nobly enlarged and a Ipirit generouſly liberal as her own. The comfortable eſtabliſhment of Mrs. Stafford at Woodfield, was a point which Emineline had much at heart; and Godolphin, who knew it was now almoſt her firſt wiſh, took his meaſures with ſo much ſucceſs, that it was ſoon accompliſhed. Mrs. Stafford, however, at their united requeſt, conſented to ſtay with them while they remained at Mowbray Caſtle; and Emmeline had the de. lightful aflurances of having inade her happy, as well as of having greatly contributed to the reſtored tranquillity of Lady Adelina. Mowbray Caſtle, ever ſo peculiarly dear to Mrs. Godolphin, and where ſhe was now bleſſed with her beloved huſband and her charming friends, brought however to her nind E RRA TA. Vol. I. Page 163 line 7, for contrived read continued p. 209 l. 5, elagancies r. elegancies- p. 229 1. 14, appearance r. enterance---p. 261 l. 3, quiet r. quite p. 280 l. 2, inſert on before cote roti. Vol. III. Page 8 line 18, read, her own handsmp. 70 line the laſt, for concerned vead convinced.-P. 721. 16, knerus. r. news--p. 77 1. 12 and 13, voudrier r. voudring p. 81 l. 19, Tener r. Tenez-p. 93 1. 8, ber ſufferer riile ſufferer-p1391 5, miferable anguiſh r. incura. ble anguiſh--p. 157 1.7, alarmingly r. more frequently p. 164 1.7, r. lay heavy on her heart--op.ito 1.12, change the ; to a , and omit it in the following line-p. 185 1. 18, 1. and this is what I wilhed --- p. 1901.18, for it would allow r. the time would allow p. 310 1.8, for n'amoit r, n'aigoit. ܙܪܳܐ ܂ ܐܬܛ iter fol?- . . .. OCT 31 900