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E M M E LINE,
QRPHAN of the CASTLE,


.
:


E M M E LI NE,
THE
ORPHAN of the CASTLE.
BY CHARLOTTE SMITH.
IN FOUR VOLUME S.
VOL. I.
LONDON:
PRINTED FOR T. CADELL, IN THE STRAND.
1788.
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Ν Ε,
THE
ORPHAN of the CASTLE.
-
CHAPTER I.
teszikus
P
TN a reinote part of the county of Penn-
I broke, is an old building, formerly of
great ſtrength, and inhabited for centuries
by the ancient family of Mowbray ; to the
ſole remaining branch of which it ſtill be-
longed, tho' it was, at the time this hiſtory
commences, inhabited only by ſervants ;
and the greater part of it was gone to decay.
A few rooms only had been- occafionally.
B . repaired
"},,menu


E M M
E L IN E,
Nas
repaired to accommodate the proprietor,
when he found it neceſſary to come there to
receive his rents, or to inſpect the condition
of the eſtate ; which however happened ſo
ſeldom, that during the twelve years he had
been maſter of it, he had only once viſited
the caſtle for a few days. The buſineſs that
related to the property round it (which was
very conſiderable) was conducted by a
ſteward grown grey in the ſervice of the fa-
mily, and by an attorney from London,
who came once a year to hold the courts.
And an old houſekeeper, a ſervant who
waited on her, the ſteward, and a labourer
who was kept to look after his horſe and
work in that part of the garden which yet
bore the veſtige of cultivation, were now
all its inhabitants, except a little girl, of
whom the houſekeeper had the care, and
who was believed to be the natural daughter
of that elder brother, by whoſe death Lord
Montreville, the preſent poffeffor, became
entitled to the eſtate.
This nobleman, while yet a younger ſon,
was (by the partiality of his mother, who
had


THE ORPHAN OE THE CASTLE. 3
had been an heireſs, and that of ſome other
female relations) maſter of a property nearly
equal to what he inherited by the death of
his brother, Mr. Mowbray.
He had been originally deſigned for the
law; but in conſequence of being entitled to
the large eſtate which had been his mother's,
and heir, by will, to all her opulent family,
he had quitted that profeſſion, and at the age
of about four and twenty, had married Lady
Eleonore Delamere, by whom he had a ſon
and two daughters.
The illuſtrious family from which Lady
Eleonore deſcended, became extinct in the
male line by the premature death of her two
brothers; and her ladyſhip becoming fole
heirefs, her huſband took the name of De-
lamere; and obtaining one of the titles of
the lady's father, was, at his death, created
Viſcount Montreville Mr. Mowbray died
before he was thirty, in Italy; and Lord
Montreville, on taking poſſeſſion of Mow-
bray Caſtle, found there his infant daughter.
Her mother had died ſoon after her birth;
and ſhe had been ſent from France, where
the


E M M E LINE,
The was born, and put under the care of
Mrs. Carey, the houſekeeper, who was ten-
derly attached to her, having been the at-
tendant of Mr. Mowbray from his earlieſt
infancy.
Lord Montreville ſuffered her to remain
in the ſituation in which he found her, and
to go by the name of Mowbray: he allowed
for the trifling charge of her board and ne-
ceſſary cloaths in the iteward's account, the
examination of which was for fome years
the only circumſtance that reminded him of
the exiſtence of the unfortunate orphan.
With no other notice from her father's fa-
mily, Emmeline had attained her twelfth
year; an age at which ſhe would have been
left in the moſt profound ignorance, if her
uncommon underſtanding, and unwearied
application, had not ſupplied the deficiency
of her inſtructors, and conquered the dif-
advantages of her ſituation.
Mrs. Carey could indeed read with tole-
rable fluency, and write an hand hardly
legible: and Mr. Williamſon, the old
ſteward, had been formerly a good penman,
and


THE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE. 5
and was ſtill a proficient in accounts. Both
were anxious to give their little charge all
the inſtruction they could: but without the
quickneſs and attention the ſhewed to what-
ever they attempted to teach, ſuch precep-
tors could have done little.
Emmeline had a kind of intuitive know..
ledge; and comprehended every thing with
a facility that ſoon left her inſtructors be-
hind her. The precarious and neglected
ſituation in which ſhe lived, troubled not
the innocent Emmeline. Having never
experienced any other, ſhe felt no uneaſineſs
at her preſent lot; and on the future ſhe was
not yet old enough to reflect.
Mrs. Carey was to her in place of the
mother ſhe had never known; and the old
ſteward, ſhe was accuſtomed to call father.
The death of this venerable ſervant was the
firſt ſorrow Emmeline ever felt: returning
late one evening,' in the winter, from a
neighbouring town, he attempted to croſs
a ford, where the waters being extremely
out, he was carried down by the rapidity of
the current. His horſe was drowned; and
tho'


6
EMMELINE,
tho' he was himſelf reſcued from the flood
by ſome peaſants who knew him, and car-
ried to the caſtle, he was ſo much bruiſed,
and had ſuffered ſo much from cold, that
he was taken up ſpeechleſs, and continued
ſo for the few hours he ſurvived the acci.
dent.
Mrs. Carey, who had lived in the ſame
houſe with him near forty years, felt the
fincereſt concern at his death; with which
it was neceſſary for her immediately to ac-
quaint Lord Montreville. .
His lordſhip directed his attorney in Lon-
don to replace him with another; to whom
Mrs. Carey, with an aching heart, delivered
the keys of the ſteward's room and drawers.
Her health, which was before declining,
received a rude Shock from the melancholy
death of Mr. Williamſon; and ſhe and her
little ward had ſoon the mortification of
ſeeing he was forgotten by all but them-
ſelves.
Frequent and ſevere attacks of the gout
now made daily ravages in the conſtitution
of Mrs. Carey; and her illneſs recurred ſa
often,


. THE ORPHAN OF TH CASTLE. 7
often, that Emmeline, now almoſt fourteen,
began to reflect on what ſhe ſhould do, if
Mrs. Carey died: and theſe reflections oc-
caſionally gave her pain. But ſhe was not
yet of an age to conſider deeply, or to dwell
long on gloomy ſubjects. Her mind, how-
ever, gradually expanded, and her judg-
ment improved : for among the deſerted
rooms of this once noble edifice, was a
library, which had been well furniſhed with
the books of thoſe ages in which they had
been collected. Many of them were in
black letter; and ſo injured by time, that
the moſt indefatigable antiquary could have
made nothing of them.
From theſe, Emmeline turned in deſpair
to ſome others of more modern appearance;
which, tho' they alſo had ſuffered from the
dampneſs of the room, and in ſome parts
were almoſt effaced with mould, were yet
generally legible. Among them, were Spen-
cer and Milton, two or three volumes of
the Spectator, an old edition of Shakeſpeare,
and an odd volume or two of Pope.
Theſe, together with ſome tracts of de-
votion, which ſhe knew would be very
acceptable


EMM EL IN E,
acceptable to Mrs. Carey, The cleaned by
degrees from the duſt with which they were
covered, and removed into the houſekeep-
er's room; where the village carpenter ac-
commodated her with a ſhelf, on which,
with great pride of heart, ſhe placed her
new acquiſitions.
The diſmantled windows, and broken
floor of the library, prevented her conti.
nuing there long together: but the fre-
quently renewed her ſearch, and with
infinite pains examined all the piles of
books, ſome of which lay tumbled in heaps
on the floor, others promiſcuouſly placed
on the ſhelves, where the ſwallow, the ſpar-
row, and the daw, had found habitations
for many years: for as the preſent propri-
etor had determined to lay out no more than
was abſolutely neceſſary to keep one end of
the caſtle habitable, the library, which was
in the moſt deſerted part of it, was in a
ruinous ſtate, and had long been entirely
forſaken.
Emmeline, however, by her unwearied
reſearches, nearly completed ſeveral fets of
books, in which inſtruction and amuſement
were
ES
rul
B 3


THE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE. 9
were happily blended. From them ſhe ac-
quired a taſte for poetry, and the more
ornamental parts of literature, as well as
the grounds of that elegant and uſeful
knowledge, which, if it rendered not her
life happier, enabled her to ſupport, with
the dignity of conſcious worth, thoſe un-
deſerved evils with which many of her years
were embittered.
Mrs. Carey, now far advanced in life,
found her infirmities daily increaſe. She
was often incapable of leaving her chamber
for many weeks; during which Emmeline
attended her with the folicitude and affec-
tion of a daughter ; fcorned not to perform
the moſt humble offices that contributed to
her relief; and ſat by her whole days, or
watched her whole nights, with the tender
eſt and moſt unwearied aſſiduity.
On thoſe evenings in ſummer, when her
attendance could for a few hours be diſpenſed
with, ſhe delighted to wander among the
rocks that formed the bold and magnificent
boundary of the ocean, which ſpread its im-
menſe expanſe of water within half a mile
B 5
of


JO.
E M M E L I NE,
of the caſtle. Simply dreſſed, and with no
other protection than Providence, ſhe often
rambled ſeveral miles into the country, vi-
ſiting the remote huts of the ſhepherds,
among the wildeſt mountains.
During the life of Mrs. Mowbray, a ſmall
ſtipend had been annually allowed for the
uſe of the poor : this had not yet been
withdrawn; and it now paſſed thro' the
hands of Mrs. Carey, whoſe enquiries into
the immediate neceſſities of the cottagers in
the neighbourhood of the caſtle, devolved
to Emmeline, when ſhe was herſelf unable
to make them.
The ignorant ruſtics, who had ſeen Em-
meline grow up among them from her ear-
lieft infancy, and who now beheld her with
the compaſſion as well as the beauty of an
angel, adminiſtering to their neceſſities and
alleviating their misfortunes, looked upon
her as a ſuperior being, and throughout the
country ſhe was almoſt adored..
Perfectly unconſcious of thoſe attractions
which now began to charm every other eye,
Emmeline had entered her fixteenth year;
and


THE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE.
I
WC
Sa
and the progreſs of her underſtanding was
equal to the improvement of her perſon ;
which, tho' ſhe was not perfe&tly hand-
ſome, could not be beheld at firſt without
pleaſure, and which the more it was ſeen
became more intereſting and engaging.
· Her figure was elegant and graceful;
ſomewhat exceeding the middling height.
Her eyes were blue; and her hair brown.
Her features not very regular; yet there
was- a ſweetneſs in her countenance, when
The ſmiled, more charming than the effect
of the moſt regular features could have
given. Her countenance, open and inge-
nuous, expreſſed every emotion of her
mind: it had aſſuined rather a penſive caſt;
and tho’ it occaſionally was lighted up by
vivacity, had been lately frequently over-
clouded; when the ſufferings of her only
friend called forth all the generous ſympathy
of her nature.
: And now the firſt fevere misfortune ſhe
had known was about to overtake her. Early
in the ſpring of that year, which was the
fixteenth from her birth, Mrs. Carey had
felt


12
E M M E L I NE,
felt an attack of the gout, which however
was ſhort; and her health ſeemed for ſome
time afterwards more ſettled than it had been
for many months. She was one evening
preparing to go down to the village, lean-
ing on the arm of Eimeline, when ſhe
fuddenly complained of an acute pain in her
head, and fell back into a chair. The af-
frighted girl called for aſſiſtance, and en-
deavoured by every means in her power to
recover her: but it was impoſſible; the
gout had ſeized her head; and caſting on
Emmeline a look which ſeemed to expreſs
all ſhe felt at leaving her thus deſolate and
friendleſs, her venerable friend, after a
ſhort ſtruggle, breathed her laſt.
What ſhould Emmeline now do? In
this diſtreſs (the firſt ſhe had ever known)
how ſhould ſhe act? She ſaw, in the life-
leſs corps before her, the perſon on whom
ſhe had, from her firſt recollection, been
accuſtomed to rely; who had provided for
all her wants, and prevented every care for
herſelf. And now ſhe was left to perform
for this dear friend the laſt fad offices, and
knew


THE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE. 13
knew not what would hereafter be her own
!
lot.
In ſtrong and excellent underſtandings
there is, in every period of life, a force
which diſtreſs enables them to exert, and
which prevents their ſinking under the pref-
ſure of thoſe evils which overwhelm and
ſubdue minds more feeble and unequal.
The ſpirits of Emmeline were yet un-
broken by affliction, and her underſtanding
was of the firſt rank. She poſſeſſed this na-
tive firmneſs in a degree very unuſual to her
age and ſex. Inſtead therefore of giving
way to tears and exclamations, ſhe confi-
dered how ſhe ſhould beſt perform all ſhe
now could do for her deceaſed friend; and
having ſeen every proper care taken of her
remains, and given orders for every thing
relative to them, with the folemn ſerenity of
ſettled ſorrow, ſhe retired to her room,
where ſhe began to reflect on her irreparable
loſs, and the melancholy ſituation in which
ſhe was left; which ſhe never had courage
to conſider cloſely till it was actually before
her.
Painful


14 EM MÉ LINE,
Painful indeed were the thoughts that
now crouded on her mind; encreaſing the
anguiſh of her ſpirit för her recent misfor-
tune. She conſidered herſelf as a being be-
longing to nobody; as having no right to
claim the protection of any one; no power
to procure for herſelf the neceffaries of life.
On the ſteward Maloney ſhe had long
looked with diſguſt, from the aſſured and
forward manner in which he thought proper
to treat her. The freedom of his behaviour,
which ſhe could with difficulty repreſs while
Mrs. Carey lived, might now, ſhefeared, ap-
proach to more inſulting familiarity; to be
expoſed to which, entirely in his power, and
without any female companion, filled her
with the moſt alarming apprehenſions: and
the more her mind dwelt on that circumſtance
the more ſhe was terrified at the proſpect
before her; infomuch, that ſhe would im-
mediately have quitted the houſe.But whi-
ther could ſhe go? .
· By abruptly leaving the aſylum Lord
Montreville had hitherto allowed her, ſhe
feared


THE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE. 15
feared the might forfeit all claim to his fu-
ture protection : and, unknown as ſhe was
to the principal inhabitants of the country,
who were few, and their houſes at a great
diſtance, ſhe could hardly hope to be re-
ceived by any of them.
She had therefore no choice left but to
remain at the caſtle till ſhe heard from Lord
Montreville : and the determined to ac-
quaint his lordſhip of the death of Mrs.
Carey, and deſire to receive his commands
as to herſelf.
Fatigued and oppreſſed, ſhe retired to
bed, but not to ſleep. The image of her
expiring protectreſs was ſtill before her eyes;
and if exhauſted nature forced her to give
way to a momentary forgetfulneſs, ſhe ſoon
ſtarted from her imperfect ſumber, and
fancied ſhe heard the voice of Mrs. Carey,
calling on her for help; and her laſt groan
ſtill vibrated in her ears !-while the ſtillneſs
of the night, interrupted only by the cries
of the owls who haunted the ruins, added
to the gloomy and mournful ſenſations of
her mind.
At


16. eMME LINE,
At length however the ſun aroſe-the
ſurrounding objects loſt the horror that dark-
neſs and ſilence had lent them and Emme.
line fell into a ſhort but refreſhing repoſe.
CHAPTER II.
As ſoon as Emmeline aroſe the next
fi morning, ſhe addreſſed the following
letter to Lord Montreville.
“ My Lord,
« In the utmoſt affliction, I addreſs my-
“ ſelf to your lordſhip, to acquaint you
«« with the death of Mrs. Carey, after an.
“ illneſs of a very few moments : by which
os unhappy event I have loſt a friend who
“ has indeed been a mother to me; and am
“ now left at the caſtle, ignorant of your
“ lordſhip's pleaſure as to my future reſi-
« dence.
« You


THE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE. 17
“ You will, my Lord, I doubt not, re-
$ collect that it is, at my time of life, im-
« proper for me to reſide here with Mr.
“ Maloney; and if it be your Lordſhip's
• intention for me to continue here, I hope
“ you will have the goodneſs to ſend down
“ fome proper perſon to fill the place of the
" worthy woman I have loſt.
« On your Lordſhip’s humanity and
« conſideration I depend for an early an-
“ ſwer : in which hope I have the honor
6 to remain,
: . “ your Lordſhip's
s“ dutiful and moſt humble ſervant,
“ EMMELINE MOWBRAY.”
Mowbray Caſtle,
211 May.
TELIN
WBI
The ſame poſt carried a letter from Mr.
Maloney, informing Lord Montreville of
the houſekeeper's death, and deſiring di-
rections about Miſs, as he elegantly termed
Emmeline.
To theſe letters no anſwers were returned
for upwards of a fortnight : during which
• melancholy


18 : E M M E LINE,
melancholy interval, Emmeline followed to
the grave the remains of the friend of her
infancy, and took a laſt farewel of the only
perſon who ſeemed intereſted for her wel-
fare. Then returning with ſtreaming eyes
to her own room, the threw herſelf on the
bed, and gave way to a torrent of tears;
for her ſpirits were overcome by the mourn-
ful ſcene to which ſhe had juſt been a wit-
neſs, and by the heavy forebodings of future
ſorrow which oppreſſed her heart.
The troubleſome civilities of the ſtew-
ard Maloney, The foon found the diffi-
culty of evading. Fearful of offending
him from whom ſhe could not eſcape, yet
unable to keep up an intercourſe of civility
with a man who would interpret it into an
encouragement of his preſumptuous atten-
tions, ſhe was compelled to make uſe of
an artifice;, and to plead ill health as an
excuſe for not dining as uſual in the ſtew-
ard's room; and indeed her uneaſineſs and
grief were ſuch as hardly made it a pre-
tence.
.
After


THE ORPHAN .
H
OF THE CASTLE. 19
• After many days of anxious expectation,
the following letter arrived from the houſe.
ſteward of Lord Montreville; as on ſuch an
occaſion his Lordſhip did not think it ne-
ceſſary to write himſelf.
Berkeley-Square, June 17, 17–
. ." Miſs,
“ My Lord orders me to acquaint you,
“ that in conſequence of your's of the 21ſt
“ ult. informing his Lordſhip of the old
“ houſekeeper's, Mrs. Carey's, deceaſe, he
“ has directed Mrs. Grant, his Lordſhip’s
" town houſekeeper, to look out for ano-
“ ther; and Mrs. Grant has agreed with a
“ gentlewoman accordingly, who will be
6 down at the Caſtle forthwith. My Lord
“ is gone to Effex; but has directed me to
« let Mr. Maloney know, that he is to
“ furniſh you with all things needful fame
« as before. By my Lord's command,
66 from, Miſs,
“ your very humble ſervant,
“ RICHARD Maddox.”
mi
CHARI
DDOS
While


20 E M M E LI NE, .
While Emmeline waited the expected ar-
rival of the perſon to whoſe care ſhe was
now to be conſigned, the ſiſter of Mrs.
Carey, who was the only relation ſhe had,
ſent a nephew of her huſband's to take pof-
ſeſſion of what effects had belonged to her;
in doing which, a will was found, in which
the bequeathed fifty pounds as a teſtimony
of her tender affection to “ Miſs Emmeline
« Mowbray, the daughter of her late dear
“ maſter;" together with all the contents
of a ſmall cheſt of drawers, which ſtood in
her room.
The reſt of her property, which conſiſted
of her cloaths and about two hundred
pounds, which ſhe had faved in ſervice, be.
came her ſiſter's, and were delivered by
Maloney to the young man commiſſioned
to receive them.'
In the drawers given to her, Emmeline
found ſome fine linen and laces, which had
belonged to her mother; and two little ſilk
boxes covered with nuns embroidery, which
ſeemed not to have been opened for many
years.
Emmeline


THE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE. 21
Emmeline ſaw that they were filled with
· letters : ſome of them in a hand which ſhe
had been fhewn as her father's. But ſhe
left them uninſpected, and faſtened up the
caſkets; her mind being yet too much af-
fected with her lofs to be able to examine
any thing which brought to her recollection
the fond ſolicitude of her departed friend.
The cold and inechanical terms in which
the ſteward's letter was written, encreaſed
all her uneaſy fears as to her future prof-
pects.
Lord Montreville ſeemed to feel no kind-
neſs for her; nor to give any conſideration
to her forlorn and comfortleſs ſituation.
The officious freedoms of Maloney en-
creaſed ſo much, that ſhe was obligeď to
confine herſelf almoſt entirely to her own
room to avoid him; and the determined,
that if after the arrival of the companion
ſhe expected, he continued to beſiege her
with ſo much impertinent familiarity, ſhe
would quit the houſe, tho' compelled to
accept the meaneſt ſervice for a ſubſiſtence.
After


22 EMM E L IN E,
as
. After a fortnight of expectation, notice
was received at the Caſtle, that Mrs. Gar-
net, the houſekeeper, was arrived at the
market town. The labourer, with an horſe,
was diſpatched for her, and towards even-
ing ſhe made her entry.
To Emmeline, who had from her earlieſt
remembrance been accuſtomed only to the
plaineſt dreſs, and the moſt ſimple and ſober
manners, the figure and deportment of this
woman appeared equally extraordinary.
She wore a travelling dreſs of tawdry-
coloured ſilk, trimmed with bright green
ribbands; and her head was covered with
an immenſe black ſilk hat, from which de.
pended many yellow ſtreamers; while the
plumage, with which it was plentifully
adorned, hung dripping over her face,
from the effects of a thunder ſhower thro'
which ſhe had paſſed. Her hair, tho'care-
fully curled and powdered on her leaving
London, had been alſo greatly deranged
in her journey, and deſcended, in knotty
tufts of a dirty yellow, over her cheeks and
forehead; adding to the vulgar ferocity of
a harſh


THE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE. 23
--
-
-
-
-
---
-
-
--
---
-
-
-
-
a harſh countenance and a coarſe com-
plexion. Her figure was uncommonly tall
and boney; and her voice ſo diſcordant and
Thrill, as to pierce the ear with the moſt un-
pleaſant ſenſation, and compleat the diſa-
greeable idea her perſon impreſſed.
Emmeline ſaw her enter, handed by the
officious Maloney; and repreſſing her aſto-
niſhment, ſhe aroſe, and attempted to ſpeak
to her: but the contraſt between the dirty,
tawdry, and diſguſting figure before her,
and the fober plainneſs and neat fimplicity
of her loſt friend, ſtruck fo forcibly on her
imagination, that ſhe burſt into tears, and
was altogether unable to command her emo-
tion.
The ſteward having with great gallantry
handed in the newly arrived lady, ſhe thus
began :
“Oh! Lord a marcy on me!--to be
or ſhore I be got here at laſt! · But indeed
" if I had a known whereabout I was a
" coming to, 'tis not a double the wagers
" as ſhould a hired me. Lord! why what
“ a ramſhakel ould place it is !-and then
- ſuch
-
-


24. E M M E LINE,
“ ſuch a monſtrous long way from Lon-
“ don! I ſuppoſe, Sir,” (to Maloney)”
" as you be the ſteward; and you Miſs, I
“ reckon, be the young Miſs as I be to
66 have the care on. Why to be ſure I
“ did'nt much expect to ſee a chriſtian
“ face in ſuch an out of the way place.
6 I don't b'leve I ſhall ſtay, howſomdever.
« Do let me have ſome tea: and do you,
« Mifs, ſhew me whereabout I be to ſleep.”
Emmeline, ſtruggling with her diſlike, or
at leaſt deſirous of concealing it, did not
venture to truſt her voice with an anſwer;
for her heart was too full; but ſtepping to
the door, ſhe called to the female ſervant,
and ordered her to ſhew the lady her room.
She had herſelf been uſed to ſhare that ap-
propriated to Mrs. Carey; but ſhe now re-
folved to remove her bed into an apartment
in one of the turrets of the caſtle, which
was the only unoccupied room not wholly
expoſed to the weather.
This little room had been fathed by Mrs.
Mowbray on account of the beautiful prof-
pect it commanded between the hills, where
ſuddenly


THE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE, 25
ſuddenly ſinking to the South Weſt, they
made way through a long narrow valley,
fringed with copſes, for a ſmall buit iapid
river; which hurrying among immenfe
ſtones, and pieces of rock that ſeemed to
have been torn from the mountains by its
violence, ruſhed into the ſea at the diſtance
of a mile from the caſtle.
This room, now for many years neglected,
was much out of repair, but ſtill habitable;
and tho’ it was at a great diſtance from the
rooms ſtill occupied, Emmeline chofe ra- ,
ther to take up her abode in it, than partake
of the apartment which was now to belong to
Mrs. Garnet : and ſhe found reaſon to ap-
plaud herſelf for this determination when
ſhe heard the exclamation Mrs. Garnet
made on entering it
" Lord! why 'tis but a ſhabbyiſh place;
" and here is two beds I fee. But that
66 won't ſuit me I afshore you. I chufes
“ to have a room to myſelf, if it be ever ſo.”
- Be not in any pain on that account,
“ Madam,” ſaid Emmeline, who had now
collected her thoughts ; “ it is my intention
Vol. I,
C
66 to


26 E M M E LINE,
-------- ---
------
--
66 to remove my bed, and I have directed
“ a perſon to do it immediately."
She then returned into the ſteward's room,
where Maloney thus addreſſed her
“ Sarvent again, pretty Miſs ! Pray how
« d'ye like our new houfekeeper? A ſmart-
“ iſh piece of goods upon my word for
“ Pembrokeſhire; quite a London lady,
“ eh, Miſs ?”
“ It is impoſſible for me, Sir, to judge
66 of her yer.”
“Why ay, Miſs, as you juſtly obſerves,
56 'tis full early to know what people be;
:56 but I hope we ſhall find her quite the
“ thing; and if ſo be as ſhe's but good
... tempered, and agreeable, and the like,
“ why I warrant we ſhall paſs this here fum-
“ mer as pleaſant as any thing can be.
“ And now my dear Miſs, perhaps, may’nt
“ be ſo ſhy and diſtant, as ſhe have got
“ another woman body to keep her com-
56 pany,"
This eloquent harangue was interrupted
by the return of Mrs. Garnet, full of anxiety
for her tea; and in the buſtle created by
te
the


THE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE. 27
the deſire of the maid and Maloney to ac-
commodate her, Emmeline retired to her
new apartment, where ſhe was obliged to
attend to the removal of her bed and other
things; and excuſing herſelf, under the
pretence of fatigue, from returning to the
ſteward's room, ſhe paſſed ſome time in
melancholy recollection and more melan-
choly anticipation, and then retired to reſt.
Some days paſſed in murmurs on the
part of Mrs. Garnet, and in filence on that
of Emmeline; who, as ſoon as ſhe had
finiſhed her ſhort repaſts, always went to
her own room.
After a few weeks, ſhe diſcovered that
the lady grew every day more reconciled to
her ſituation; and from the pleaſures ſhe
apparently took in the gallantries of Malo-
ney, and his conſtant aſſiduities to her, the
innocent Emmelineſuppoſed there was really
an attachment forming between them, which
would certainly deliver her from the dil-
pleaſing attentions of the ſteward.
Occupied almoſt entirely by her books,
of which ſhe every day became more ena-
- C 2
moured,


28 : EMM E L IN E,
mo
moured, ſhe never willingly broke in upon
a tête à têre which ſhe fancied was equally
agreeable to all parties; and ſhe ſaw with
ſatisfaction that they regretted not her ab-
fence. :
But the inotives of Maloney's attention
were miſunderſtood. Inſenſible as ſuch a
man muſt be ſuppoſed to the charms of the
elegant and ſelf-cultivated mind of Emme-
line, her perſonal beauty had made a deep
impreſſion on his heart; and he had formed.
a deſign of marrying her, before the death
of Mrs. Carey, to whom he had once or
twice mentioned ſomething like a hint of
his wiſhes : but ſhe had received all his diſ-
courſe on that topic with ſo much coldneſs,
and ever ſo carefully avoided any conver-
ſation that might again lead to it, that he
had been deterred from entirely explaining
himſelf. Now, however, he thought the
time was arrived, when he might make a
more lucceſsful 'application; for he never
doubted but that Mrs., Garnet would ob-
tain, over the tender and ingenuous mind of
Emmeline,
CL
.


THE ORPHAN OE THE CASTLE. 29
Emmeline, an influence as great as had
been poſſeſſed by Mrs. Carey.
Nor did he apprehend that a friendleſs
orphan, without fortune or connections,
would want much perſuaſion to marry a
young man of handſome figure (as he con-
ceived himſelf to be); who was eſtabliſhed
in a profitable place, and had ſome de-
pendance of his own.
The diſtance which Emmelinė had al-
ways obliged him to obſerve, he imputed
to the timidity of her nature; which he
hoped would be leſſened by the free and
familiar manners of her preſent companion,
whoſe converſation was very unlike what
ſhe had 'before been accuſtomed to hear -
from Mrs. Carey.
Impreſſed with theſe ideas, he paid his
court moſt aſſiduouſly to the houſekeeper,
who put down all his compliments to the
account of her own attractions; and was
extremely pleaſed with her conqueſt;
which ſhe exhauſted all her eloquence and
all her wardrobe to ſecure.
C 3 CH A P.
Was
as


30
E M M E L I NE,
CHAPTER III.
TN this ſituation were the inhabitants of
1 Mowbray Caſtle ; when, in the begin-
ning of July, orders were received, from
Lord Montreville, to ſet workmen imme-
diately about repairing the whole end of
the caſtle which was yet habitable; as his
fon, Mr. Delainere, intended to come down
early in the Autumn, to ſhoot, for ſome
weeks, in Wales. His lordſhip added,
that it was poſible he might himſelf be
there alſo for a few weeks; and therefore
directed ſeveral bed-chainbers to be re-
paired, for which he would ſend down fur-
niture froin London.
No time was loft in obeying theſe di-
rections. Workmen were immediately pro-
cured, and the utmoſt expedition uſed to
put the place in a ſituation to receive its
maſter; while Emmeline, who foreſaw that
the arrival of Lord Montreville would
probably


THE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE. 31
probably occaſion ſome change in regard
to herſelf, and who thought that every
change muſt be for the better, beheld theſe
preparations with pleaſure.
All had been ready ſome weeks, and the
time fixed for Mr. Delamere's journey
elapſed, but he had yet given no notice of
his arrival.
At length, towards the middle of Sep-
tember, they were one evening alarmed by
the noiſe of horſes on the aſcent to the
caſtle.
Emmeline retired to her own room, fear-
ful of ſhe knew not what ; while Mrs.
Garnet and Maloney flew eagerly to the
door, where a French valet, and an Engliſh
groom with a led horſe, preſented them-
ſelves, and were uſhered into the old
kitchen; the dimenſions of which, black-
ened as it was with the ſmoke of ages, and
provided with the immenſe utenſils of an-
cient hoſpitality, failed not to amaze them
both.
· The Frenchman expreſſed his wonder
and diſlike by ſeveral grimaces; and then
C4 addreſling


32
,
:
E
E
I N
M
L
M
E
addreſſing himſelf to Mrs Garnet, ex- .
claimed " Peſte! Milor croit’il qu'on
"peut ſubſiſter dans cette eſpece d'enfer?
“Montrée moi les apartements de Mon-
“ fieur.”
6c Oh, your name is Mounſeer, is it?”.
anſwered ſhe -- " Aye, I thought fo--what
“ would you pleaſe to have, Mounſeer?”
"Diable !” cried the diſtrefled valet;
« voici une femme auſſi ſauvage que le
« lieu qu'elle habite. Com, com, you,
" Jean Groom, ſpeak littel to dis voinan
“? pour moi.”
With the help of John, who had been
ſome time uſed to his mode of explain-
ing himſelf, Mrs. Garnet underſtood that
Mounſeer deſired to be thewn the apart-
ments deſtined for his maſter, which he
affiduouſly aſſiſted in preparing; and then
ſeeing the woman buſied in following his
directions, he attempted to return to his
companion; but by miſſing a turning which
ſhould have carried him to the kitchen, he
was bewildered among the long galleries
and obſcure paſſages of the caſtle, and
after


THE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE. 33
after ſeveral efforts, could neither find his
way back to the woman, nor into the
kitchen; but continued to blunder about
till the encreaſing gloon, which approach-
ing night threw over the arched and ob-
ſeure apartments, through windows dim
with painted glaſs, filled him with appre-
henſion and diſmay, and he believed he
ſhould wander there the whole night; in
which fear he began to inake a ſtrange
noiſe for aſſiſtance; to which nobody at-
tended, for indeed nobody for ſome time
heard him. His terror encreaſing, he con-
tinued to traverſe one of the paſſages, when
a door at the corner of it opened, and Em-
meline came out.
· The man, whoſe imagination was by
this time filled with ideas of ſpectres, flew
back at her ſudden appearance, and added
the contortions of fear to his otherwiſe gro-
teſque appearance, in a travelling jacket of
white cloth, laced, and his hair in pa-
pillotes.
Emineline, immediately comprehending
that it was one of Mr. Delamere's ſervants,
C 5 : enquired


34 E M M E L IN E,
enquired what he wanted ; and the man,
re-aſſured by her voice and figure, which
there was yet light enough to diſcern, ap-
proached her, and endeavoured to explain
that he had loſt himſelf, in a language
which, though Emmeline did not under-
ſtand, ſhe knew to be French.
She walked with him therefore to the
gallery which opened to the great ftair-
cale, from whence he could hardly miſtake
his way; where having pointed it to him,
ſhe turned back towards her own room.
But Millefleur, who had now had an
opportunity to contemplate the perſon of
his conductreſs, was not diſpoſed ſo eaſily
to part with her.
By the extreme ſimplicity of her dreſs, he
believed her to be only foine fair villager,
or an aſſiſtant to the houſekeeper; and
therefore without ceremony he began in
broken Engliſh to proteſt his admiration,
and ſeized her hand with an impertinent
freedom extremely ſhocking to Emmeline.
She ſnatched it from him ; and flying
haſtily back through thoſe paſſages which
was
.
.
all


THE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE. 35
all his courage did not ſuffice to make him
attempt exploring again, ſhe regained her
turret, the door of which the inſtantly
locked and bolted; then breathleſs with
fear and anger, ſhe reflected on the ſtrange
and unpleaſant ſcene ſhe had pafled through,
and felt greatly humbled, to find that the
was now likely to be expoſed to the info-
lent familiarity of ſervants, from which ſhe
knew not whether the preſence of the maſter
would protect her.
While ſhe ſuffered the anguiſh theſe
thoughts brought with them, Millefleur
travelled back to the Kitchen, where he
began an oration in his own language on
the beauty of the young woman he had
met with.
Neither Mrs. Garnet nor Maloney un-
derſtood what he was faying; but John,
who had been in France, and knew a good
deal of the language, told thein that he had
ſeen a very pretty girl, in whoſe praiſe he
was holding forth. ...
« Why, Lord,” exclaimed Mrs. Gar-
net, “ 'tis our Miſs as Mounſeer means;
I had


36 EMMELINE,
“ I had a quite forgot the child; I'll go
66 call her ; but howſomdever Mounſeer
" won't be able to get a word out of her ;
« if ſhe's a beauty, I aſshore you 'tis a
« dumb beauty.”
Maloney, by no means pleaſed with
Millefleur's diſcovery, would willingly
have prevented the houſekeeper's complai-
fance; but not knowing how to do it, he
was obliged to let her aſcend to Emmeline,
whoſe door ſhe found locked.
“ Miſs! Miſs!” cried ſhe, rapping
loudly, “ you muſt come down.”.)
“Is my Lord or Mr. Delamere arrived ?”
enquired Emmeline.
“ No," replied Mrs. Garnet, “ neither
“ of em be’nt come yet; but here's iny
“ Lord's waley de ſham, and another far-
“ vent, and you'll come down to tea to be
“ ſure.”
“ No," ſaid Emmeline, “ you muſt
“excuſe me, Mrs. Garnet. I am not very
~ well; and if I were, ſhould decline ap-
“ pearing to theſe people, with whom,
. perhaps,


THE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE. 37
“ perhaps, it may not be iny Lord's deſign
“ that I ſhould aſſociate.”
“ People !” exclaimed Mrs. Garnet;
“ as to people, I do ſuppoſe that for all
"o one of them is 'a Frenchman, they be as
“ good as other folks; and if I am agree-
“ able to let them drink tea in my room,
“ ſure you, Miſs, mid'nt be ſo fqueamiſh.
« But do 'as you pleaſe ; for my part I
“ Than't court beauties.”
So ſaying, the angry houſekeeper de-
ſcended to her companions, to whom ſhe
complained of the pride and ill manners of
Miſs; while Maloney rejoiced at a re-
ſerve ſo favourable to the hopes he enter-
tained.. ...
· Emmeline determined to remain as much
as poſſible in her own room, 'till Lord
Montreville or Mr. Delamere came, and
then to folicit her removal.
. She therefore continued poſitively to re-
fuſe to appear to the party below; and or-
dered the maid ſervant to bring her dinner
into her own room, which ſhe never quitted
enter.
'till


38
E M M ELI'N E,
ar
'till towards evening, to purſue her uſual
walks.
On the third afternoon fubfequent to the
arrival of Mr. Delamere's avant-couriers,
Emmeline went down to the ſea ſide, and
ſeating herſelf on a fragment of rock, fixed
her eyes inſenſibly on the reſtleſs waves
that broke at her feet. The low murmurs
of the tide retiring on the ſands; the figh-
ing of the wind among the rocks which
hung over her head, cloathed with long
graſs and marine plants; the noiſe of the
fea fowl going to their neſts among the cliffs ;
threw her into a profound reverie.
She forgot awhile all her apprehended
misfortunes, a ſort of ſtupor took poffeffion
of her ſenſes, and ſhe no longer remem-
bered how the time had paſſed there, which
already exceeded two hours; though the
moon, yet in its encreaſe, was ariſen, and
threw a long line of radience on the water.
Thus loft in indiſtinct reflections, the
was unconſcious of the ſurrounding objects,
when the haſty tread of fomebody on the
pebbles behind her, made her ſuddenly re-
collect


THE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE. 39
collect herſelf; and though accuſtomed to
be ſo much alone, ſhe ſtarted in ſome alarm
in remembering the late hour, and the foli-
tary place where ſhe was.
A man approached her, in whom with
fatisfaction ſhe recollected a young peaſant
of the village, who was frequently employed
in meſſages from the caſtle.
“ Miſs Emmy,” ſaid the lad, “ you
“ are wanted at home; for there is my
« Lord his own ſelf, and the young Lord,
" and more gentlefolks come'; fo Madam
“ Garnet ſent me to look for you all about."
Emmeline, hurried by this intelligence,
"walked haſtily away with the young villager,
and ſoon arrived at the caſtle.
The wind had blown her beautiful
hair about her face, and the glow of her
cheeks was heightened by exerciſe and ap-
prehenſion. A more lovely figure than ſhe
now appeared could hardly be imagined.
She had no time to reflect on the interview;
but haſtened immediately into the parlour
where Lord Montreville was ſitting with
his ſon; Mr. Fitz-Edward, who was a
young


40 .!'E MM E L IN E,
young officer, his friend, diſtantly related
to the family; and Mr. Headly, a man
celebrated for his knowledge of rural im-
provements, whom Lord Montreville had
brought down to have his opinion of the
poſſibility of rendering Mowbray Caſtle a
reſidence fit for his family for a few months
in the year. .
, Lord Montreville was about five and
forty years old. His general character was
reſpectable. He had acquitted himſelf with
honor in the ſenate ; and in private life had
ſhewn great regularity and good conduct.
But he had baſked perpetually in the ſun-
mine of proſperity; and his feelings, not na-
turally very acute, were blunted by having
neve: fuffered in his own perſon any unea-
fineſs which might have taught him ſenſi-
bility for that of others.
· To this cauſe it was probably owing,
that he never reflected on the impropriety
of receiving his niece before ſtrangers; and
that he ordered Emmeline to be introduced
into the room where they were all fitting
together.
Having


THE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE. 41
Having once ſeen Emmeline a child of
five or ſix years old; he ſtill formed an idea
of her as a child; and adverted not to the
change that almoſt nine years had made in
her perſon and manners ; it was therefore
with ſome degree of ſurprize, that inſtead
of the child he expected, he ſaw a tall, ele-
gant young woman, whoſe air, though ti-
midity was the moſt conſpicuous in it, had :
yet much of dignity and grace, and in
whoſe face he ſaw the features of his bro-
ther, ſoftened into feminine beauty.
The apathy which proſperity had taught
him, gave way for a moment to his ſur-
prize at the enchanting figure of his niece.
He aroſe, and approached her.-“ Miſs
“ Mowbray! how amazingly you are
“ grown! I am glad to ſee you." He
took her hand; while Emmeline, trembling
and bluſhing, endeavoured to recollect
herſelf, and ſaid
“ 1 thank you, my Lord, and I am
“ happy in having an opportunity of pay-
“ ing my reſpects to your Lordship.”
He


42 EMMELINE,
He led her to a ſeat, and again repeated
his wonder to find her ſo much grown.
Delamere, who had been ſtanding at the
fire converſing with Fitz-Edward, now ad-
vanced, and deſired his father to introduce
him; which ceremony being paſſed, he
drew a chair cloſe to that in which Emme-
line was placed ; and fixing his eyes on
her face with a look of admiration and en-
quiry that extremely abaſhed her, he ſeemed
to be examining the beauties of that lovely
and intereſting countenance which had fo
immediately dazzled and ſurprized him.
Fitz-Edward, a young foldier, related to
the family of Lady Montreville, was almoſt
conftantly the companion of Delamere, and
had expectations that the intereſt Lord
Montreville poffeffed would be exerted to
advance him in his profeſſion. His man- .
ner was very inſinuating, and his perſon
uncommonly elegant. He affected to be
a judge as well as an admirer of beauty, and
ſeemed to behold with approbation the fair
inhabitant of the caſtle;who, with heightened
bluſhes, and averted looks, waited in ſilence
.
'till


THE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE. 43
'till Lord Montreville ſhould again addreſs
her, which he at length did.
“ I was ſorry, Mifs Mowbray, to hear
“ of the death of old Carey.”
The tears ſtarted into the eyes of Emme-
line.
“She was an excellent ſervant, and ſerved
" the family faithfully many years.”
Poor Emmeline felt the tears fall on her
boſom.
“ But however ſhe was old; and had
“ been, I ſuppoſe, long infirm. I hope
“ the perſon who now fills her place has
“ ſupplied it to your ſatisfaction?”
“ Yes, yes, my Lord;” inarticulately
ſobbed Emmeline, quite overcome by the
mention of her old friend.
" I dare fay fhe does," reſumed his
Lordſhip; “ for Grant, of whom Lady
“ Montreville has a very high opinion,
“ aſſured her Ladyſhip ſhe was well re-
or commended."
Emmeline now found her emotion very
painful; the therefore roſe to go, and
curtſeying
110W


Ε
Ε,
Μ
Ν
Μ
Ι
Ε
L
curtſeying to Lord Montreville, tried to
wiſh him good night.'-
56 A good night to you, Miſs Mowbray,”
faid he, riſing. Delainere ſtarted from his
chair; and taking her hand, deſired to
have the honor of conducting her to her
room. But this was a gallantry his father
by no means approved.: 6 No, Frederic,".
ſaid he, taking himſelf the hand he held,
“ you will give me leave to ſee. Miſs
« Mowbray to the door.” He led her thi-
ther, and then bowing, wiſhed her again
good night. .
..
Emmeline hurried to her rooin; where
the endeavoured to recollect her diſſipated
ſpirits, and to conſider in what way it
would be proper .for her to addreſs Lord .
Montreville the next day, to urge her re-
queſt of a removal from the caſtle.
Mrs. Carey had a ſiſter who reſided at
Swanſea in Glainorganſhire; where her huſ-
band had a little place in the exciſe, and
where ſhe had a ſmall houſe, part of which
The had been accuftonied to let to thoſe
innow
who


THE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE. 45
who frequented the place for the benefit of
ſea-bathing.
She was old, and without any family of
her own; and Emmeline, to whom ſhe
was the more agreeable as being the filter
of Mrs. Carey, thought ſhe might reſide with
her with propriety and comfort, if Lord
Montreville would allow her a limalt annual
ſtipend for her cloath's and board. "
While ſhe was conſidering in what man-
ner to addreſs herſelf to his Lordſhip the
next day, the gentlemen were talking of
the perfections of the nymph of the caſtle';
by which name Delamere toaſted her at
ſupper. - . .
Lord Montreville, who did not ſeem
particularly delighted with the praiſe his
ſon ſo warmly beſtowed, faid-
“ Why ſurely, Frederic, you are un-
“ cominonly eloquent on behalf of your
« Welch couſin.”
.“ Faith, my Lord,” anſwered Dela-
mere, “ I like her ſo well that I think
" it's'a little unlucky I did not come alone.
“ My Welch couſin is the very thing for å
6 tête à tête.”
“ Yes,"


46
, E M M E LINE,
“ Yes,” ſaid Lord Montreville, care-
« leſsly, “ ſhe is really grown a good fine
“ young woman. Don't you think ſo,
“ George?” addreſſing himſelf to Fitz-
Edward,
“ I do indeed, my Lord,” anſwered
he; “ and here's Mr. Headly, tho' an
" old married man, abſolutely petrified
os with admiration."
“ Upon my ſoul, Headly,” continued
Delamere, “ I already begin to ſee great
“ capabilities about this venerable manſion.
" I think I ſhall take to it, as my fa-
“ ther offers it me; eſpecially as 1 ſup-
“ poſe Mifs Emmeline is to be included
« in the inventory.”
“ Come, come, Frederic,” ſaid Lord
Montreville, gravely, “ no light con-
- verfation on the ſubject of Miſs Mow-
“ bray. She is under my care; and I
“ muſt have her treated with propriety.”
His Lordſhip immediately changed the
diſcourſe, and ſoon after complaining of
being fatigued, retired to his chamber.
CHAP


THE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE. 47
CH A P T E R
IV. .
L ORD Montreville, whoſe firſt object
L was his ſon, had obſerved, with ſome
alarm, the immediate impreſſion he ſeemed
to have received from the beauty of Em-
meline.
The next day, he made ſome farther re-
marks on his attention to her when they
met at dinner, which gave him ſtill more
uneaſineſs; and he accuſed himſelf of great
indiſcretion in having thrown an object,
whoſe lovelineſs he could not help acknow-
ledging, in the way of Delamere, whoſe
ardent and impetuous temper he knew ſo
well. This gave his behaviour to Emme-
line an air of coldneſs, and even of diſplea-
fure, which prevented her ſummoning cou-
rage to ſpeak to him in the morning of the
day after his arrival : and the evening
afforded her no opportunity ; for Lord
Montreville, determined to keep her as
much


48
E L I NE,
E M
M
in
much as poſſible out of the ſight of Dela-
mere, did not ſend for her down to ſupper,
and had privately reſolved to remove her
as ſoon as poſſible to ſome other reſidence.
Thus his apprehenſions leaſt his ſon
ſhould form an attachment prejudicial co
his ambitious views, produced in his Lord-
Thip’s mind a reſolution in regard to plac-
ing more properly his orphan niece, which
no conſideration, had it related merely to
herſelf, would probably have effected.
At ſupper, Delamere enquired eagerly
for his “ lovely couſin.” To which Lord
Montreville drily anſwered, “ that ſhe did
“ not, he believed, ſup below.”
But the manner of this enquiry, and the
anxious looks Delamere directed towards
the door, together with his repeated queſ-
tions, increaſed all Lord Montreville's fears.
He went to bed out of humour rather
with himſelf than his ſon; and riſing early
the next morning, enquired for Miſs Mow-
bray.
· Miſs Mowbray was walked out, as was
her cuſtom, very early, no one knew whi-
ther,
He


THE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE. 49
He learned alſo that Mr. Delamere was
gone 'out with his gun without Fitz-Ed-
ward; who not being very fond of field
ſports, had agreed to join him at a later
hour.
· He immediately fancied that Delamere
and Emmeline might meet; and the pain
ſuch a ſuſpicion brought with it, was by
him, who had hardly ever felt an hour's
uneaſineſs, conſidered as fo great an evil,
that he determined to put an end to it as
ſoon as poſſible.
After an haſty breakfaſt in his own room,
he ſummoned Maloney to attend him,
and went over the accounts of the eſtates
entruſted to him, with the ſtate of which
his Lordſhip declared himſelf well con-
tented. And not knowing to whom elſe
he could apply, to enquire for a ſituation
for Emmeline, he told Maloney, that as
Miſs Mowbray was now of an age to re-
quire ſome alteration in her mode of life,
he was deſirous of finding for her a repu-
table houſe in ſome town in Wales, where
ſhe might lodge and board.
Vol. I.
Maloney,
D


50 E M M E LI NE,
HT
Maloney, encouraged by being thus-con-
ſulted by his Lord, ventured, with many
bows, bluſhes, and ſtammering apologies,
to diſcloſe to Lord Montreville his parti.
ality to Miſs Mowbray.
And this communication he ſo contrived
to word, that his Lordſhip had no doubt
of Emmeline's having allowed him to-
make it.. !
Lord: Montreville liſtened therefore in
ſilence, and without any marks of diſap-
probation, to the account Maloney pro-
ceeded to give of his proſpects and pro-
perty
While he was doing ſo, family pride
made a faint ſtruggle in his Lordſhip’s
breaſt on behalf of his deſerted ward. He
felt ſome pain in determining, that a crea-
ture boaſting a portion of the Mowbray
blood, ſhould ſink into the wife of a man
of ſuch inferior birth as Maloney.
But when the advantages of ſo eaſily
providing for her were recollected; when
he conſidered that Maloney would be happy
to take her with a few hundred pounds, and
that


THE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE. 51
that all apprehenſions in regard to his ſon
would by that means for ever be at an
end; avarice and ambition, two paſſions
which too much influenced Lord Mon-
treville, joined to perſuade him of the pro-
priety of the match; and became infinitely
too powerful to let him liſten to his regard
to the memory of his brother or his pity for
· his deſerted ward.
He thought, that as the exiſtence of
Emmeline was hardly known beyond the
walls of the caſtle, he thould incur no cen-
ſure from the world if he conſigned her to
that obſcurity to which the diſadvantages
of her birth ſeemed originally to have con-
demned her. .
Theſe reflections aroſe while Maloney,
charined to find himſelf liſtened to, was
proceeding in his diſcourſe.
Lord Montreville, tho' too much uſed to
the manners of politicians to be able to give
a direct anſwer, at length put an end to it,
by telling him he would conſider of what
he had ſaid, and talk to him farther in a few
days.
D 2
In


52 E M M E LINE,
In the mean time his Lordſhip deſired
that no part of their conversation might
tranſpire.
Maloney, tranſported at a reception
which ſeemed to prognoſticate the comple-
tion of his wiſhes, retired elated with his
proſpects ; and Lord Montreville fum-
moning Mr. Headly to attend him, mnount-
ed his horſe to ſurvey the ground on which
he meditated improvements round the
caſtle. :
The cold and almoſt ſtern civility of
Lord Montreville, for the little time Em-
meline had ſeen him, had created defpon-
dence and uneaſineſs in her boſom.
She fancied he diſiked her, unoffending
as ſhe was, and would take the firſt oppor-
tunity of ſhaking her off:-an idea which,
together with the awe ſhe could not help
feeling in his preſence, made her determine
as much as poſſible to avoid it, 'till he
ſhould give her a proper opportunity to
ſpeak to him, or 'till ſhe could acquire
courage to ſeek it.
At
-


THE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE. 53
ook.
At ſeven in the morning, the aroſe, after
an uneaſy night, and having taken an early
breakfaſt, betook herſelf to her uſual walk,
carrying with her a book.
The ſun was hot, and ſhe went to a wood:
which partly cloathed an high hill near the
boundary of the eſtate, where, intent only on
her own ſorrows, ſhe could not beguile
them by attending to the fictitious and im-
probable calamities of the heroine of a
novel, which Mrs. Garnet probably forget-
ting to reſtore to the library of ſome former
miſtreſs, had brought down among her
cloaths, and had been ſeized by Emmeline
as ſomething new, at leaſt to her.
But her mind, overwhelmed with its own
anxiety, refuſed its attention : and tired
with her walk, ſhe ſat down on a tree that
had been felled, reflecting on what had
paſſed ſince Lord Montreville's arrival, and
conſidering how ſhe might moſt effectually
intereſt him in her behalf. .
Delamere, attended by a ſervant, had
gone upon the hills in purſuit of his game;
and having had great ſucceſs for ſome
D 3
hours,
no


54 E M M E LINE,
hours, he came down about eleven o'clock
into the woods, to avoid the exceſſive heat,
which was uncommon for the ſeaſon. :
The noiſe he made in bruſhing through
the underwood with his gun, and ruſtling
among the fading leaves, alarmed her.
He ſtepped over the timber, and ſeating
himſelf by her, ſeized her hands.
“ Oh! my charming couſin,” cried he,
“ I think myſelf one of the moſt fortunate
66 fellows on earth, thus to meet you."
Emineline would have riſen.
66 Oh! no,” continued he, " indeed
you do not go, 'till we have had a little
« converſation.”
“ I cannot ſtay, indeed Sir,” ſaid Em-
meline" I muſt immediately go home.”
“ By no means; I cannot part with
" you. Come, come, ſit down and hear
66 what I have to ſay."
It was to no purpoſe to reſiſt. The impe-
tuous vehemence of Delamere was too
much for the timid civility of Emmeline;
and not believing that any thing more than
common converſation or a few unmeaning
com.


THE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE. 55
compliments would paſs, fhe ſat down with
· as much compofure as ſhe could command.
. But Delamere, who was really captivated
at the firſt, and who now thought her more
beautiful than he had done in their former
interviews, heſitated not to pour forth the
moſt extravagant profeffions of admiration,
in a ſtyle fo unequivocal, that Emmeline,
believing he meant to inſult her, burſt into
a paſſion of tears, and befought him, in a
tremulous and broken voice, not to be fo
cruel as to affront her, but to fuſfer her to
return home.
Delamere could not ſee her terror with-
out being affected. He proteſted, that ſo
far from meaning to give her pain, he
fhould think himſelf too happy if ſhe would
allow him to dedicate his whole life to her
ſervice. .
Poor Emmeline, however, continued to
· weep, and to beſeech him to let her go; to
which, as her diſtreſs aroſe almoſt to agony,
he at length conſented : and taking her arın
within his, he ſaid he would walk home with
her himſelf. '.
. Το
D4


56 EMMELINE,
To this Emmeline in vain objected.
To eſcape was impoflīble.
To prevail on him to leave her equally
fo. She was therefore compelled to follow
him. Which ſhe did with reluctance;
while he ſtill continued to profeſs to her
the moſt violent and ſerious attachment.
They proceeded in this manner along
the neareſt path to the caſtle, which lay
principally among copſes that fringed the
banks of the river.
They had juſt paſſed through the laſt,
and entered the meadows which lay imme-
diately under the caſtle walls, when Lord
Montreville and Headly, on horſeback, ap-
peared from a woody lane juſt before them.
At the noiſe of horſes ſo near them, Em-
meline looked up, and ſeeing Lord Mon-
treville, again ſtruggled, but without ſuc-
ceſs, to diſengage her hand.
Delamere continued to walk on, and his
Lordſhip foon came up to them. He
checked his horſe, and ſaid, fomewhat
ſternly, “So, Sir, where have you been ?”
Dela-


-
THE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE. 57
-
-
-
-
Delamere, without the leaſt heſitation,
anſwered — " Shooting, my Lord, the early
“ part of the morning; and ſince that,
“ making love to my couſin, who was ſo
“ good as to ſit and wait for me under a
oc tree.”
“ For mercy's fake, Mr. Delamere,”
cried Emmeline, “ conſider what you
6 fay.”
" Waiting for you under 'a tree !"
cried Lord Montreville, in amazement.
“ Do Miſs Mowbray be ſo good as to
“ return home.--And you, Frederic, will,
“ I ſuppoſe, be back by dinner time.”
" Yes,” anſwered Delamere, or when I
“ have conducted my couſin home, I ſhall
“ go out again, perhaps, for an hour be-
“ fore dinner.”
He was then walking on, without notic-
ing the ſtern and diſpleaſed looks of his fa-
ther, or the terror of poor Emmeline, who
ſaw too evidently that Lord Montreville
was extremely angry.
His Lordſhip, after a moment's pauſe,
diſmounted, gave his horſe to a ſervant,
- D 5
and


58 EMMELIN E,
and joined them, telling Delamere he had
ſome buſineſs with Miſs Mowbray, and
would therefore walk with her towards the
caſtle himſelf.
Delamere kiſſed her hand gayly, and
aſſuring his father that for the firſt time in
his life he felt an inclination to take his bu-
fineſs off his hands, he beckoned to his fer-
vant to follow with his dogs, and then leap-
ing over the hedge that ſeparated the mea-
dow from the hollow lane, he diſappeared.
Emmeline, trembling with apprehenſion,
walked with faultering ſteps by the fide of
Lord Montreville, who for ſome time was
filent. He at length ſaid “Your having
“ been brought up in retirement, Miſs
“ Mowbray, has, perhaps, prevented your
6 being acquainted with the decorums of
" the world, and the reſerve which a young
66 woman ſhould ever ſtrictly maintain.
“ You have done a very improper thing
“ in meeting my ſon; and I muſt deſire
“ that while you are at the caſtle, no ſuch
“ appointinents may take place in future.”
Tho'


THE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE. 59
Tho' fhé faw, from the firſt moment of
his meeting them, that he had conceived
this idea, and was confirmed in it by Dela-
mere's ſpeech; yet ſhe was fo much ſhock-
ed and hurt by the addreſs, that as ſhe at-
tempted to anſwer, her voice failed her.
· The tears however, which ſtreamed from
her eyes, having a little relieved her, ſhe
endeavoured-to aſſure his Lordſhip, that
till ſhe met Mr. Delainere in the wood that
morning, ſhe did not know even of his hav-
ing left the caſtle.
66 And how happened you to be where
6 he found you, Miſs Mowbray ?”
" I went thither, my Lord, with a book
66 which I was eager to finiſh.” .
" Oh! I remember that Maloney told
“ me you was a great reader; and from
“ ſome other diſcourſe he held relative to
“ you, I own I was the more ſurpriſed at
“ your indiſcretion in regard to my ſon.”
· They were by this time arrived at the
caſtle, and Lord Montreville deſired Ex-
meline to follow him into the parlour, where
they both ſat down.
D6
His


E M M E L I N E ,
His Lordſhip renewed the diſcourſe.
“ This morning Maloney has been talk-
“ ing to me about you; and from what he
“ faid, I concluded you had formed with
“ him engagements which ſhould have pre-
“ vented you from liſtening to the boyiſh
“ and improper converſation of Mr. Dela-
“ mere.”
• Engagements with Mr. Maloney, my
“ Lord ? Surely he could never affert that
“ I have ever formed engagements with
“ him?” .
,“ Why not abſolutely fo.-I think he did
“ not fay that. But I underſtood that you
" was by no means averſe to his informing
“ me of his attachment, and was willing,
“ if my conſent was obtained, to become
“ his wife. Perhaps he has no very great
“ advantages; yet conſidering your ſitua-
tion, which is, you know, entirely de-
“ pendent, I really think you do perfectly
“ right in deſigning to accept of the eſta-
« bliſhment he offers you."
“ To become the wife of Maloney !-to
“ accept of the eſtabliſhment he offers me!
" I am humbled, I am loſt indeed !
.. .66 No,


THE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE. 61
“ No, my Lord! unhappy as I am, I
“ can claim nothing, it is true; but if the
“ ſupport of an unfortunate orphan, thrown
" by Providence into your care, is too
« troubleſome, ſuffer me to be myſelf a
“ ſervant; and believe I have a mind,
so which tho' it will not recoil from any
“ ſituation where I can earn my bread by
os honeſt labour, is infinitely ſuperior to any
“ advantages ſuch a man as Maloney can
« offer me !"
She wept too much to be able to pro-
ceed ; and fat, overwhelmed with grief and
mortification, while Lord Montreville con-
tinued to ſpeak.
“ Why diſtreſs yourſelf in this manner,
“ Miſs Mowbray? I cannot ſee any thing
“ which ought to offend you, if Maloney bas
" miſrepreſented the matter; and if he has
“ not, your extraordinary emotion muſt
“ look like a conſciouſneſs of having al-
« tered your mind.
“ Your motive for doing ſo cannot
“ be miſtaken ; but let me ſpeak to you
“ explicitly.-To Mr. Delamere, my ſon,
“the


62
, E M M. E LINE,
“ the heir to a title and eſtate which makes
“ him a deſirable match for the daughters
“ of the firſt houſes in the kingdom, you
“ can have no pretenſions; therefore never
“ do yourſelf ſo much prejudice as to let -
“ your mind glance that way. .
.“ Maloney tells me he has ſome property,
“ and ſtill better expectations. He is eſta-
" blifhed here in an excellent place; and
" ſhould he marry you, it ſhall be ſtill bet-
“ ter. You are (I am ſorry to be obliged
" to repeat it) without any dependance,
“ but on iny favour. You will therefore
“ do wiſely to embrace a ſituation in which
“ that favour may be moſt effectually ex-
c erted on your behalf.
“ As you have undoubtedly encouraged
“ Maloney, the averſion you now pretend
“ towards him, is artifice or coquetry.
“ Conſider before you decide, conſider
“ thoroughly what is your ſituation and
“ what your expectations; and recollect,
" that as my ſon now means to be very fre-
“ quently at Mowbray Caſtle, you cannot
..
. or remain


THE ORPAAN OF THE CASTLE. 63
s remain with propriety but as the wife of
56 Maloney."
“ Neither as the wife of Maloney, nor
s as Emmeline Mowbray, will I ſtay, my
6 Lord, another day !” anſwered ſhe, af-
ſuming more ſpirit than ſhe had yet ſhewn.
66 I wiſhed for an interview to entreat your
“ Lordſhip would allow me to go to ſome
“ place leſs improper for my abode than
“ Mowbray Caſtle has long been.”
“ And whither would you go, Miſs
“ Mowbray?”
« On that, iny Lord, I wiſhed to con-
6 ſult you. But ſince it is perhaps a mat-
« ter unworthy your attention; ſince it
“ ſeems to ſignify little what becomes of
me; I muſt determine to hazard going
" to Mrs. Watkins's, who will probably
give me an aſylum at leaſt 'till I can
*6 find ſome one who will receive me, or
“ ſome means of providing for myſelf the
s neceſſaries of life.”
“ You then poſitively reject the over-
“ tures of Maloney?”.
66 Polis


64 : EMMELINE
me
“ Poſitively, my Lord_and for ever!
“ I beg it may not be mentioned to me
" again !”
66 And who is Mrs. Watkins?"
“ The ſiſter of Mrs. Carey, my Lord.”
“ Where does ſhe live?”
“ At Swanſea in Glamorganſhire; where
“ ſhe is accuſtoined to take in boarders.
“ She would, I believe, receive me.”
After a moment's conſideration, Lord
Montreville ſaid, “ that perhaps may do,
“ fince you abſolutely refuſe the other plan;
“ I would have you therefore prepare to
“ go thither; but I muſt inſiſt on no more
“ morning interviews with Mr. Delamere,
“ and that whither you are going may be
“ kept unknown to him.
" But tell me,” continued he, « what I
“ am to ſay to poor Maloney?”
“ That you are aſtoniſhed at his info-
“ lence in daring to lift his eyes to a per-
“ fon bearing the name of Mowbray; and
“ fhocked at his falſehood in preſuming
“ to aſſert that I ever encouraged his im-
& pertinent pretenſions !" ,
This


THE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE. 65
This effort of ſpirit exhauſted all the
courage Emmeline had been able to raiſe.
She aroſe, and attempted to reach the
door; but overcome by the violence of her
agitation, was obliged to ſit down in a
chair near it.
She could no longer reſtrain the tears
which were extorted from her by the mor-
tifying ſcene ſhe had paſſed through : and
her deep ſighs, which ſeemed ready to
burſt her heart, excited the compaſſion of
Lord Montreville; who, where his ambi-
tion was not in queſtion, was not void of
humanity. The violent and artleſs ſorrow
of a beautiful young woman, whoſe fate
ſeemed to be in his power, affected him. .
He took her hand with kindneſs, and
told her “ he was ſorry to have ſaid any
thing that appeared harſh.”
His Lordſhip added, “ that he would
have her write to Mrs. Watkins; that a
ſervant ſhould be ſent with the letter; and
that on condition of her concealing her
abode from Delamere, ſhe ſhould be ſup-
plied with an annual income equal to all
her wants."
Then


.66 E M M E LINE,
Then hearing Delamere's gun, which he
always diſcharged before he entered the
houſe, he haſtened Emmeline away, de-
firing ſhe would remain in her own apart-
ment; where every thing neceſſary ſhould
be ſent to her.
CHA P T E R
V.
NELAMERE and Fitz-Edward foon
D after entered the parlour where Lord
Montreville remained.
He received his fơn with a coldneſs to
which, tho’ little accuſtomed to it, Dela-
mere paid no attention.
Deſpotic as this beloved ſon had always
been in the family, he felt not the leaſt ap-
prehenſion that he had really offended his
father; or feeling it, knew that his dif- .
pleaſure would be ſo ſhort liv'd that it was
not worth any concern.
66 Here,


THE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE. 67
SCO
“Here, Fitz-Edward,” ſaid he ;"here
“ is my father angry with me for making
"love to my couſin Emmy. Faith, Sir,"
(turning to Lord Montreville,) “ I think
“ I have the moſt reaſon to be angry at
.“ being brought into ſuch dangerous com-
“ pany; tho' your Lordſhip well knows
“ how deviliſhly ſuſceptible I am, and that
“ ever ſince I was ten years old I have
“ been dying for ſome nymph or other.”
“ I know that you are a ſtrange incon-
.6 ſiderate boy,” anſwered Lord Montre-
ville, very gravely ;-" but I muſt beg,
“ Frederic, to hear no more idle raillery
" on the ſubject of Miſs Mowbray.”
To this, Delamere gave ſome ſlight
anſwer; and the diſcourſe was led by his
Lordſhip to ſome other topic.
Fitz-Edward, who was about five years
older than Delamere, concealed, under
the appearance of candour and non-cha-
lance, the libertiniſm of his character.
He had entered very young into the
army; the younger ſon of an Iriſh peer;
and had contracted his looſe morals by
being


E M M E L I N E ,
being thrown too early into the world; for
his heart was not originally bad. I
With a very handſome perſon, he had the
moſt inſinuating manners, and an addreſs
ſo truly that of a man of faſhion, as imme-
diately prejudiced in his favour thoſe by
whom he wiſhed to be thought well of.
Where he deſired to pleaſe, he ſeldom
failed of pleaſing extremely; and his con-
verſation was, in the general commerce of
the world, elegant and attractive.
Delamere was very fond of his company;
and Lord Montreville encouraged the inti-
macy : for of whatever faſhionable vices
Fitz-Edward was guilty, he contrived, by
a ſort of ſentimental hypocriſy, to prevent
their being known to, or at leaſt offenſive
to thoſe, whoſe good opinion it was his
intereſt to cultivate.
Delamere was of a character very oppoſite.
Accuſtomed from his infancy to the moſt
boundleſs indulgences, he never formed a
wilh, the gratification of which he expected
to be denied : and if ſuch a diſappoint-
ment happened, he gave way to an impetu-
oſity


THE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE. 60
oſity of diſpoſition which he had never
been taught to reſtrain, and which gave an
appearance of ferocity to a temper not
otherwiſe bad.
He was generous, candid, and humane;
and poffefled many other good qualities,
but the defects of his education had ob-
ſcured them.
Lady Montreville, who beheld in her
only ſon the laſt male heir of a very ancient
and illuſtrious houſe, and who hoped to ſee
all its glories revive in him, could never
be prevailed upon to part with him.
He had therefore a tutor in the houſe;
and his parents themſelves accompanied
him abroad. And the weakneſs of Lady
Montreville in regard to her ſon, encreaſed
rather than diminiſhed with his encreaſing
· years."
Her fondneſs was gratified in ſeeing the
perfections of his perſon, (which was a very
fine one) while to the imperfections of his
temper ſhe was entirely blind.
His father was equally fond of him; and
looked up to the accumulated titles and")
united


70
E M M E LINE,
united fortunes of his own and his wife's
families, as the point where all his ambi-
tious views would attain their conſum-
mation.
To watch over the conduct of this only
ſon, ſeemed now to be the fole buſineſs of
his Lordſhip’s life: and 'till now, he had
no reaſon to fear that his ſolicitude for his
final eſtabliſhment would be attended with
ſo little effect.
Except a few youthful indiſcretions,
which were overlooked or forgiven, Dela-
mere had ſhewn no inclinations that ſeemed
inimical to his father's views; and Lord
Montreville hoped that his preſent paſſion
for Emmeline would be forgotten as eaſily
as many other tranſient attachments which
his youth, and warmth of temper, had led
him into.
At Dinner, Delamere enquired “whe-
“ ther his charming couſin was always to
« remain a priſoner in her own room?"
To which Lord Montreville anſwered,
<< that it had been her cuſtom; and as
66 there


THE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE. 71
« there was no lady with them, it was
" better the ſhould continue it.”
- He then changed the diſcourſe; and
contrived to keep Delamere in ſight the
whole afternoon; and by that' means pre-
vented any further enquiries after Emme-
line; who now, entirely confined to her
turret, impatiently awaited the return of the
meſſenger who had been ſent to Swanſea. .
Delamere, in the mean time, had lin-
gered frequently about the houſekeeper's
room, in hopes of ſeeing Emmeline; but
The never appeared.
He applied to Mrs. Garnet for intelli-
gence of her : but fhe had received orders
from Lord Montreville not to ſatisfy his
enquiries. He employed his ſervants there-
fore to diſcover where ſhe was uſually to be
found, and by their means was at length
informed in what part of the caſtle her apart-
ment lay, and that there was a deſign actu-
ally on foot to ſend her away, but whither
he could not learn.
The anſwer brought from Mrs. Watkins,
by the inan who had been ſent to Swanſea,
expreſſed


72
Ε Μ Μ Ε L IN E,
ere.
expreſſed her readineſs to take the boarder
offered her.
This intelligence Lord Montreville com-
municated himſelf to Emmeline; who re-
ceived it with ſuch artleſs ſatisfaction, that
his Lórdſhip, who had before doubted
whether ſome degree of coquetry was not
concealed under the apparent ingenuous
innocence of his niece, now believed he
had judged too haſtily.
· It remained to be conſidered how ſhe
could be conveyed from Mowbray Caſtle
without the knowledge of Delamere
She was herſelf ignorant of every thing
beyond it's walls, and could therefore be of
no uſe in the conſultation.
His Lordſhip had, however, entruſted
Fitz-Edward with his uneaſineſs about
Delamere; at which the former only
laughed; and ſaid he by no means believed
that any ſerious conſequences were to be
apprehended : that it was mere badinage;
of which he was ſure Delamere would think
no more after they left Mowbray Caſtle ;
and that it was not a matter which his
Lordſhip ſhould allow to make him uneaſy.
Lord
ere y
no


THE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE. 73
Lord Montreville however, who thought
he could not too ſoon remedy his own in-
diſcretion in introducing Emmeline to his
ſon, determined to embrace the opportunity
of putting an end to any future correſpond-
ence between them: he therefore inſiſted
on a promiſe of ſecrefy from Fitz-Edward ;
and had recourſe to Headly, who from a
frequent reſidence among the great was the
moſt accommodating and obſequious of
their ſervants.
As he was about to leave the caſtle in a
few days, he offered his ſervices to convey
Miſs Mowbray from thence, in a chaiſe of
which he was maſter.
This propoſal was eagerly accepted by
Lord Montreville. And enjoining Mr.
Headly - alſo to ſecreſy, it was fixed that
their journey ſhould begin the next morn-
ing ſave one.
• Emmeline had notice of this arrange-
ment, which ſhe received with the livelieſt
joy.
She immediately ſet about ſuch prepara-
tions as were neceſſary for her journey, in
. Vol. I . E
which


74 EM ME LINE, .
ler
which ſhe employed that and the remaining
day; which had been deſtined by Lord
Montreville to viſit another eſtate that he
pofſeffed, at the diſtance of about twelve
. miles; whither Delamere and the whole
party accompanied him.
Delamere had diſcovered, by his ſervants,
that to remove Emmeline was in agitation;
and he determined to ſee her again in ſpite
of his father's precaution (which in fact only
ſerved to encreaſe his deſire of declaring
his ſentiments); but he had no idea that
ſhe was to go ſo ſoon, and therefore was
content to go with his father, at his parti-
cular requeſt.
It was late in the evening preceding that
on which Emmeline was to depart, before
they returned; and ſhe was ſtill buſied in
providing för her journey ; in doing which,
ſhe was obliged to open one of the caſkets
left her by Mrs. Carey. It contained mi-
niatures of her father and her mother, which
had been drawn at Paris before her birth;
and ſeveral letters written by Mrs. Mow-
- bray,


THE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE, 75
bray, her grandmother, to her mother, in
conſequence of the fatal ſtep ſhe had taken
in quitting the protection of that lady, who
had brought her up, to accompany Mr.
Mowbray abroad.
Theſe, Emmeline had never yet ſeen;
nor had ſhe now courage entirely to peruſe
them. The little ſhe read, however, filled
her heart with the moſt painful ſenſations
and her eyes with tears.
While ſhe was employed in her little ar-
rangements, time paſſed inſenſibly away.
She heard the hollow ſound of ſhutting
the great doors at the other end of the caſ-
tle, as was uſual before the ſervants retired
for the night: but attentive only to what
was at prelent her greatelt concern, (mak-
ing room for ſome favourite books in the
box ſhe meant to take with her, ſhe heeded
not the hour.
A total ſilence had long reigned in the
caſtle, and her alınoſt extinguiſhed candle
told her it was time to take ſome repoſe,
when, as ſhe was preparing to do ſo, ſhe
E 2
thought


76 : E M M E LINE,
le
I
thought ſhe heard a ruſtling, and indiſtinct
footſteps in the paſſage near her room.
She ſtarted-liſtened--but all was again
profoundly ſilent; and ſhe ſuppoſed it had
been only one of thoſe unaccountable noiſes
which ſhe had been uſed to hear along the
dreary avenues of the caſtle.
She began anew to unpin her hair, when
a ſecond time the ſame noiſe in the paſſage
alarmed her.
She liſtened again ; and while ſhe con-
tinued attentive, the great clock ftruck
two.
Amazed to find it ſo late, her terror en-
creaſed; yet the endeavoured to reaſon
herſelf out of it, and to believe that it was
the effect of fancy.
She heard it no inore; and had almoſt
determined to go out into the paſſage to
ſatisfy herſelf that her fears were ground-
leſs, when juſt as ſhe approached the door,
the whiſpers were renewed ; ſhe ſaw the
lock move, and heard a violent puſh
againſt it.
The


THE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE, 77
The door, however, was locked. Which
was no ſooner perceived by the aſſailant,
than a violent effort with his foot forced the
ruſty decayed work to give way, and Mr.
Delamere burſt into the room.
Emmeline was infinitely too much terri-
fied to ſpeak : nor could her trembling
limbs ſupport her.
She ſat down ;-the colour forſook her
cheeks ;--and ſhe was not ſenſible that
Delamere had thrown himſelf at her feet,
and was pouring forth the moſt vehement
and incoherent expreſſions that frantic paf-
fion could dictate.
Recovering her recollection, ſhe beheld
Delamere kneeling before her, holding her
hands in his; and Millefleur ſtanding be-
hind himn with a candle.
She attempted to ſpeak; but the words
died away on her lips : while Delamere,
fhocked at the ſituation into which he had
thrown her, proteſted that he meant her
not the ſmalleſt oifence; but that having
learnt, by means of his valet, that ſhe was
to go the next morning, and that his fa-
E 3
ther


78 E M M E L IN E,
ther intended to keep him ignorant of her
future deſtiny, he could not bear to re-
flect that he might loſe her for ever; and
had therefore taken the only means in
his power to ſpeak to her, in hopes of
engaging her pity, for which he would
hazard every thing. .
" Leave me, Sir! leave me!” ſaid
Emmeline, in a voice ſcarcely articulate.
“ Leave me inſtantly, or I will alarm the
“ houſe!”
“ That is almoſt impoſſible !” replied
Delamere; “ but I will not terrify you
“ more than I have done already. No,
• Emmeline, I wiſh not to alarm you,
" and will quit you inſtantly if you will
s tell me that whereſoever you are you
“ will permit me to ſee you, and will re-
“ member me with pity and regard !
“ My father ſhall not-cannot controul
“ my conduct; nor ſhall all the power on
“ earth prevent my following you, if you
“ will yourſelf permit me. Tell me, Em-
“ ineline,-tell me you will not forget
“ me!”
- 66 As


THE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE. 79
00
“ As what, Sir, ſhould I remember
« you, but as iny perfecutor? as one who
“ has injured me beyond reparation by
your wild and cruel conduct, and who
has now dared to inſult me by a moſt
“ unparallelled outrage.—Leave me, Sir!
“ I repeat to you that you muſt inſtantly
« quit the room !”
She aroſe, and walked with tottering
ſteps to the end of it. Delamere followed
her. She turned ; and came towards the
door, which was ſtill open, and then recol-
lected, that as ſhe knew the paſſages of
the caſtle, which ſhe was convinced nei-
ther Delamere or his ſervant did, ſhe
might poſſibly eſcape, and find Lord Mon-
treville's room, which ſhe knew to be at
the end of the Eaſt gallery.
Delamere was a few ſteps behind her
when ſhe reached the door; which haſtily
throwing quite open, ſhe ran lightly thro'
the paſſage, which was very long and dark.
He purſued her, imploring her to hear
him but a moment; and the Frenchman
as haſtily followed his maſter with the can-
E 4
dle.


E M M E L I NE,
dle. But at the end of the paſſage, a flight
of broken ſteps led to a brick hall, which
opened to other ſtair-caſes and galleries.
A guſt of wind blew out the candle;
and Emmeline, gliding down the ſteps,
turned to the right, and opening a heavy
nailed door, which led by a narrow ſtairs
to the Eaſt gallery, ſhe let it fall after her.
Delainere, now in total darkneſs, tried in.
vain to follow the ſound,
He liſtened-but no longer heard the
footſteps of the trembling fugitive; and
curſing his fate, and the ſtupidity of Mille-
fleur, he endeavoured to find his way back
to Emmeline's room, where he thought
a candle was ſtill burning. But his at-
tempt was vain. He walked round the
hall only to puzzle himſelf; for the door
by which he had entered it, he could not
regain.
In the mean time Emineline, breathleſs
with fear, had reached the gallery, and
feeling her way 'till ſhe came as ſhe ſup-
poſed to the door of the room where Lord
Montreville ſlept, ſhe tapped lightly at it.
A man's


THE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE. 81
A man's voice aſked who it was?
“ It is I, my Lord,” cried Emmeline,
hardly able to make herſelf heard." Mr.
" Delamere purſues me.” ,
Somebody opened the door.-But there
was no light; and Emmeline retiring a
ſtep from it, the perſon again aſked who it
was?
66 It is Emmeline,” replied ſhe; who
now firſt recollected that the voice was not
that of Lord Montreville.--She flew there-
fore towards the next door, with exclama-
tions of encreaſed terror; but Lord Mon-
treville, who was now awakened, appeared
at it with a lamp in his hand; and Emme-
line, in anſwer to his queſtion of what is
the matter? endeavoured to ſay that ſhe
was purſued by Mr. Delamere; but fear
had ſo entirely overcome her, that ſhe
could only figh out his name, and gaſping
like a dying perſon, ſat down on a bench
which was near the door.
Fitz-Edward, who was the perſon ſhe
had firſt ſpoken to, had by this time dreſſed
himſelf,
E 5


82 E M M E LINE,
himſelf, and came to her with a glaſs of
water out of his room; while Lord Mon-
treville, hearing his ſon's name ſo inarti-
culately pronounced, and ſeeing the ſpeech-
leſs affright in which Emmeline ſat before
him, conceived the moſt alarming appre-
henſions, and believed that his ſon was
either dead or dying.
With great difficulty he ſummoned up
courage enough again to beg for Heaven's
fake ſhe would tell him what had occaſi-
oned her to leave her room at ſuch an
hour?
She again exclaimed, “ it is Mr. Dela-
“ mere, my Lord!”
" What of Mr. Delamere?—what of
“ my fon?” cried he, with infinite agita-
tion.
“ Save me from him my Lord !” an-
ſwered Emmeline, a little recovered by
the water ſhe had drank.
“ Where is he then?" ſaid his Lordſhip.
- I know not,” replied Emmeline;
“ but he came to my room with his ſer-
ecova
vant,


THE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE. 83
as
“ vant, and I flew hither to implore your
- protection.”
· Fitz-Edward intreated Lord Montre-
ville to be more calm, and to give Miſs
Mowbray time to recollect herſelf. He
offered to go in ſearch of Delamere; but
his Lordſhip was in too much anxiety
to be ſatisfied with any enquiries but his
own.
He therefore ſaid he would go down him-
ſelf; but Emmeline catching his hand, en-
treated him not to leave her.
At this moment the voices of Delamere
and his man were heard echoing through
the whole ſide of the caſtle; for wearied
with their fruitleſs attempts to eſcape, they
both called for lights, in no very gentle
tone.
Lord Montreville eaſily diſtinguiſhed
from whence the noiſe came, and followed by
Emmeline, whom Fitz-Edward ſupported,
he deſcended into the brick hall from
whence Emmeline had effected her eſcape,
where he found Delamere trembling with
paſſion, and Millefleur with fear.
Lord
E6


84
"
Ë MM É L I N E,
III.
Lord Montreville could not conceal his
anger and reſentment.
“ How comes it, Sir,” cried he, addreſſ-
ing himſelf to his ſon, that you dare thus
“ to inſult a perſon who is under my pro-
“ tection? What exceſs of madneſs and
66 folly has tempted you to violate the re-
66 tirement of Miſs Mowbray ?”
“ I mean not, my Lord,” anſwered
Delamere, " to attempt a concealinent
'" of my ſentiments. I love Miſs Mow-
“ bray; paſſionately love her; and ſcorn
“ to diſſimulate. I know you had a de-
« ſign to ſend her from hence; clandeſ-
6 tinely to ſend her; and I determined
66 that ſhe ſhould not go 'till I had de-
“ clared my attachment to her, which
“ I found you endeavoured afſiduouſly
“ to prevent. You may certainly re-
" move her from hence; but I proteſt to
“ you, that where ever ſhe is, there I will
“ endeavour to ſee her, in ſpite of the uni-
“ verſe.”
Lord Montreville now felt all the force
of the error he had committed in that
bound-


THE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE. 85
boundleſs indulgence to which he had ac->
cuſtoined his ſon.
In the firſt inſtance of any conſequence
in which their wiſhes differed, he ſaw him
ready to throw off the reſtraint of paternal
authority, and daring to avow his reſolu-
tion to act as he pleaſed.
This mortifying reflection aroſe in his
mind, while, with a look of mingled anger
and amazement, he beheld Delamere, who
having ordered Millefleur to light his can-
dle, ſnatched it froin him, and haſtily re-
tired.
· Emmeline, who had ſtood trembling the
whole time behind Lord Montreville,
beſought him to ring up the houſekeeper,
and direct her to remain with her for the
reſt of the night ; for ſhe declared the would
on no account remain in her own room
alone.
His Lordſhip recommending her to the
care of Fitz-Edward, went himſelf in ſearch
of the houſekeeper; and Emmeline refuſing
to ſeek a more commodious apartment, ſat
down


-86: 7* EM M E L Í N E ,
OW
down in one of the windows of the hall
to wait his return.
: Fitz-Edward, to whoin ſhe had yet hardly
1poken, now entertained her with a profu-
fion of compliments, almoſt as warm as
-thoſe ſhe had heard from Delamere; but
her fpirits, quite exhauſted by the terror
which had fo lately poſſeſſed thein, could
no longer ſupport her ; ſhe was unable to
give an anſwer of common civility, and was
very glad to ſee Lord Montreville return
with Mrs. Garnet ; who extremely diſcom-.
poſed at being diſturbed, and obliged to
appear in her night-cap, followed her, grum-
bling, into her room ; where, as Emmeline
refuſed to go to it herſelf, ſhe took poſſeſſion
of her bed, and ſoon falling into a profound
Neep, left it's melancholy owner to her fad
reflections.
She had not been many minutes indulg-
ing them, and wiſhing for the return of
light, before fomebody was again at the
door. Emmeline ſtill apprehending De-
lamere, ſtepped to it; and was aſtoniſhed to
fee Lord Montreville himſelf.
He
:
S


THE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE. 87
norn.
He entered the rooin, and told her, that
as his fon knew of her journey in the morn-
ing, he would probably try ſome means to
prevent it, or at leaſt to trace out her abode;
that it was therefore abſolutely neceſſary for
her to be ready by day break or before, for
which he had prepared Mr. Headly; who
was up, and getting ready to ſet out as
foon as there was light enough to make it
ſafe.
Emmeline, who thought ſhe could not
be gone too ſoon, now haſtily finiſhed the
remainder of her packing, and having
dreſſed herſelf for her journey, which not-
withſtanding her ſleepleſs night ſhe rejoiced
to find ſo near, ſhe waited with impatience
'till Mr. Headly ſummoned her to go.
2
ren
CHAP-


88
E M M E L I NE,
CHAPTER VI.
THE ſun no ſooner appeared above
I the horizon, than her conductor was
ready with his one-horſe chair; and Em-
meline being ſeated in it, and her little
baggage adjuſted, ſhe left the door of the
caſtle, where Maloney, who ſaw his favou-
rite hopes vanilh as he feared for ever, ſtood
with a rueful countenance to behold her de-
parture.
However deſirous ſhe was of quitting a
reſidence which had long been uneaſy to
her, and which was now become ſo extremely
improper, ſuch is the force of early habit,
that ſhe could not bid it adieu without be-
ing greatly affected.
There ſhe had paſſed her earlieſt infancy,
and had known, in that period of un-
conſcious happineſs, many delightful hours
which would return no more.


THE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE. 89
It was endeared to her by the memory of
that good friend who had ſupplied to her
the place of a parent ; from whom alone ſhe
had ever heard the ſoothing voice of mater-
nal ſolicitude. And as ſhe paſſed by the
village church, which had been formerly the
chapel of the monaſtery, and joined the
caſtle walls, ſhe turned her eyes, filled with
tears, towards the ſpot where the remains of
Mrs. Carey were depoſited, and ſighed
deeply; a thouſand tender and painful re-
collections crouding on her heart.
As ſhe left the village, ſeveral women
and children, who had heard ſhe was going
that day, were already waiting to bid her
farewell ; conſidering her as the laſt of that
family by whom they had been employed
when in health, and relieved when in ſick-
neſs, they lamented her departure as their
greateſt misfortune.
The preſent poffeſſor of the caſtle bore
not the name of Mowbray, and was not at
all intereſted for the peaſantry, among whom
he was a ſtranger; they therefore, in loſing
Em-
ure


90 E M M E L I N E,
wers
Emmeline, ſeemed to loſe the laſt of the
race of their ancient benefactors.
Emmeline, affected by their ſimple ex-
preſſions of regret, returned their good
wiſhes with tears; and as ſoon as the chaiſe
drove out of the village, again fixed her
eyes on the habitation ſhe had quitted.
It's venerable towers riſing above the
wood in which it was almoſt emboſomed,
made one of the moſt magnificent features
of a landſcape which now appeared in
ſight.
The road lay along the ſide of what.
would in England be called a mountain ;
at it's feet rolled the rapid ſtream that waſh-
ed the caſtle walls, foaming over fragments
of rock, and bounded by a wood of oak
and pine, among which the ruins of the
inonaſtery, once an appendage to the caſtle,
reared it's broken arches; and marked by
grey and inouldering walls, and inounds
covered with ſlight vegetation, it was traced
to it's connection with the caſtle itſelf, ſtill
frowning in gothic magnificence, and
ftretching over ſeveral acres of ground: the
citadel,


THE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE. 91
citadel, which was totally in ruins and co-
vered with ivy, crowning the whole. Far-
ther to the Weſt, beyond a bold and rocky
ſhore, appeared the ſea; and to the Eaſt, a
chain of mountains which ſeemed to meet
the clouds; while on the other ſide, a rich
and beautiful vale, now variegated with the
mellowed tints of the declining year, ſpread
its encloſures, 'till it was loſt again among
the blue and barren hills:
Headly declaimed eloquently on the
charms of the proſpect, which gradually
unveiled itſelf as the autumnal miſt diſ-
appeared.
But Emmeline, tho' ever alive to the
beauties of nature, was too much occupied
by her own melancholy reflections, to at-
tend to the animadverſions of her compa-
nion.
She ſaw nothing but the caſtle, of which
The believed ſhe was now taking an eternal
adieu ; and her looks were fixed on it, 'till
the road winding down the hill on the other
ſide, concealed it from her ſight.
Headly
wn


92
E M M E LINE,
Headly imputed her fadneſs to a very
different cauſe than that of an early and
long attachment to a particular ſpot.
He ſuppoſed that regret at being obliged
to leave Delamere, to whoſe paſſion he
could not believe her inſenſible, occaſioned
the melancholy that overwhelmed her.
He ſpoke to her of him, and affected to
lament the uneaſineſs which ſo violent and
ungovernable a temper in an only fon,
might occaſion to his family.
He then talked of the two young ladies,
his ſiſters, whom he deſcribed as the fineſt
young women in the country, and as highly
accompliſhed.
Emmeline ſighed at the compariſon be-
tween their ſituation and her own.
After ſome hours travelling through
roads which made it very fatiguing, they
arrived at a little obfcure houſe of entertain-
ment, and after ſome refreſhment, continued
their journey unmoleſted.
Delamere aroſe early, and calling for
Millefleur, enquired at what hour Miſs
Mowbray was to go.
On


THE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE. 93
ra
On hearing that ſhe had left the caſtle
more than an hour, his rage and vexation
broke through all the reſpect he owed his
father ; who being acquainted by his valet
of his reſolution immediately to follow the
chaiſe, entered the room. .
He remonſtrated with him at firſt with
great warmth ; but Delamere, irritated by
contradiction, obſtinately adhered to his re-
ſolution of iminediately purſuing the tra-
vellers.
Lord Montreville, finding that oppoſi-
tion rather increaſed than remedied the
violence of his ſon's paſſionate ſallies,
determined to try what perſuaſion would
do; and Delamere, whoſe temper was in-
ſenſible to the threats of anger, yielded to
remonſtrance when ſoftened by paternal af-
fection, and conſented to forego his inten-
tion if Lord Montreville would tell him
where Emmeline was gone.
His Lordſhip, who probably thought
this one of thoſe inſtances in which falſe-
hood is excuſeable if not meritorious, told
hiin, with affected reluctance, that ſhe was
gone


94
E M M E L I NE,
gone to board at Bridgenorth, with Mrs.
Watkins, the ſiſter of old Carey.
As this account was extremely probable,
Delamere readily believed it; and having
with ſome difficulty been prevailed upon to
paſs his word that he would not immediately
take any ſteps to ſee her, tranquillity was for
the preſent reſtored to the caſtle.
Emmeline in the mean time, after a long
and weary journey, arrived at Swanſea.
Mrs.Watkins, who expected her, received
her in a little but very neat habitation,
which conſiſted of a ſmall room by way of
parlour, not unlike the cabin of a packet
boat, and a bed-chamber over it of the ſame
dimenſions.
Of theſe apartments, Emmeline took pof-
ſeſſion.
Her conductor took leave of her; and
the now wiſhed to be able to form ſome
opinion of her new hoſteſs, whoſe counte-
nance, which extremely reſembled that of
Mrs. Carey, had immediately prejudiced
her in her favour.
h
Being


THÉ ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE, 95
Being aſſured by Lord Montreville of
every liberal payment for the board and
lodging of Miſs Mowbray, ſhe received
her with a degree of civility almoſt oppreſ-
five.
But Emmeline, who foon found that ſhe
poſſeſſed none of that warmth of heart and
lively intereſt in the happineſs of others
which ſo much endeared to her the me-
mory of her former friend, was very glad
when after a few days the good woman re-
turned with her uſual avidity to the regula-
tion of her domeſtic matters, and ſuffered
Emmeline to enjoy that folitude which ſhe
knew ſo well how to employ..
Delamere, ſtill lingering at the caſtle,
where he ſeemed to ſtay for no other reaſon
than becauſe he had there ſeen Emmeline,
was penſive, reſtleſs, and abſent; and Lord
Montreville ſaw with great alarm that this
imprellion was leis likely to be effaced by
time and abſence than he had ſuppoſed.
Fitz-Edward, obliged to go to Ireland to
his regiment for ſome time, had taken leave
of them; and the impatience of Lord
Mon-


96
Ε,
Ε
Ν
Μ
Ι
Μ
Ι
Ε
Montreville to return to town was encreaſed
by repeated letters from his wife.
Delamere however ſtill evaded it; hoping
that his father would ſet out without him,
and that he ſhould by that means have an
opportunity of going to Bridgenorth, where
he determined to folicit Emmeline to con-
ſent to a Scottiſh expedition, and perſuaded
himſelf he ſhould not meet a refuſal.
• At length Lady Montreville, yet more
alarmed at the delay, directed her eldeſt
daughter to write to his Lordſhip, and to
give ſuch an account of her health as
ſhould immediately oblige the father and
ſon to return.
Delamere, after ſuch a letter, could not
refuſe to depart; and comforting himſelf
that he might be able foon to eſcape from
the obſervation of his family, and put his
project in execution, he conſented to begin
his journey. He determined, however, to
write to Miſs Mowbray, and to deſire her
to direct her anſwer under cover to a friend
in London.
He


THE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE. 97
as re.
ome a
He did ſo; and addreſſed it to her at
Mrs. Watkins's, at Bridgenorth : but ſoon
after his arrival in town, the letter was re-
turned to the place he indicated; having
been opened at the office in conſequence of
no ſuch perſon as Miſs Mowbray or Mrs.
Watkins being to be found there.
Delamere ſaw he had been deceived ; but
to complain was fruitleſs : he had therefore
no hope of diſcovering where Emmeline
was, but by lying in wait for ſome acci-
dental intelligence.
The family uſually paſſed the Chriſtinas
receſs at their ſeat in Norfolk; whither De-
lamere, who at firſt tried to avoid being of
the party, at length agreed to accompany
them, on condition of his being allowed
to perform an engagement he had made
with Mr. Percival for a fortnight. Part of
this time he determined to employ in ſeeing
Headly, who did not live above thirty miles
from thence; hoping from him to obtain
intelligence of Emmeline's abode. And
that no ſuſpicion might remain on the mind
Vol. I. F
of


98
E M M E LINE,
rance a
of his father, he affected to reaſſume his uſual
gaiety, and was to all appearance as volatile
and diſſipated as ever.
While the family were in Norfolk, their
acquaintance was warmly renewed with that
of Sir Francis Devereux, who was lately re-
turned from a reſidence on the Continent,
whither he had been to compleat the edu-
cation of his two daughters, heireffes to his
fortune, on the embelliſhment of whoſe per-
ſons and manners all the modern elegancies
of education had been laviſhed.
They were rather pretty women; and of
a family almoſt as ancient and illuſtrious as
that of Mr. Delamere. Their fortunes were
to be immenſe; and either of them would
have been a wife for Delamere, the choice
of whom would greatly have gratified the
families on both ſides.
Infinite pains were taken to bring the
young people frequently together; and both
the ladies ſeemed to allow that Delamere
was a conqueſt worthy their ambition.
As he never refuſed to entertain them
with every appearance of gallantry and vi-
vacity,


THE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE. 99
vacity, Lord Montreville flattered himſelf
that at length Emineline was forgotten;
and ventured to propoſe to his ſon a mar-
riage with whichever of the Miſs Devereux
he ſhould prefer.
To which Delamere, who had long fore-
ſeen the propoſal, anſwered coldly, “ that
“ he was not inclined to marry at all; or
“ if he did, it ſhould not be one of thoſe
“ over-educated puppets.”
So far were their acquiſitions from hav-
ing made any impreſſion on his heart, that
the frivolous turn of their minds, the ſtudied
ornaments of their perſons, and the affected
refinement of their manners, made him only
recollect with more paſſionate admiration,
that native elegance of perſon and mind
which he had ſeen only in the Orphan of
Mowbray Caſtle.
F 2
:
СНАР.
WSPOSB


100
E M M E LINE,
CH A P T E R
VII.
THERE was, in the perſon and man-
I ner of Emmeline, ſomething ſo in-
tereſting, that thoſe who were little ac-
cuſtomed to attach themſelves to any one,
were inſenſibly diſpoſed to love her, and to
become ſolicitous for her welfare.
Even the inſenſibility with which long
and uninterrupted proſperity had encaſed
the heart of Lord Montreville, was not en-
tirely proof againſt her attractive powers ;
and when he no longer apprehended the
effect of her increaſing charms on his ſon,
he ſuffered himſelf to feel a degree of pity
and even of affection for her.
He therefore heard with pleaſure that the
was contented in her preſent ſituation; and
was convinced ſhe had kept her word in
not giving any intelligence of her reſidence
to Delamere. To ſhew his approbation of
her


THE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE. 101
her conduct, he directed a perſon in town
to ſend her down a ſmall collection of
books, ſome materials for drawing, and
other trifles which he thought would be ac-
ceptable.
Emmeline, charmed with ſuch acquiſi-
tions, felt the moſt lively gratitude for her
benefactor; and having fitted up her little
cabin extremely to her taſte, ſhe found, in
the occupation theſe preſents afforded her,
all that ſhe wiſhed to engage her attention
and gratify her taſte.
Senſible of the defects of her education,
ſhe applied inceſſantly to her books; for of
every uſeful and ornamental feminine em-
ployment ſhe had long ſince made herſelf
miſtreſs without any inſtruction.
She endeavoured to cultivate a genius
for drawing, which ſhe inherited from her
father; but for want of knowing a few ge-
neral rules, what ſhe produced had more of
elegance and neatneſs than correctneſs and
knowledge.
She knew nothing of the ſcience of muſic;
F3
but


102 E M M E LI NE, .
but her voice was ſoft and ſweet, and her
ear exquiſite.
The ſimple ſongs, therefore, ſhe had ac-
quired by it, the ſung with a pathos which
made more impreſſion on her hearers than
thoſe ſtudied graces learned by long appli-
cation, which excite wonder rather than
pleaſure.
Tiine, thus occupied, paſſed lightly away,
and the middle of April arrived almoſt im-
perceptibly, and brought again weather
which enabled Emmeline to reaffume her
walks along the ſhore or among the rocks,
and to indulge that contemplative turn of
mind which ſhe had acquired in the ſoli-
tude of Mowbray Caſtle.
It was in one of the fineſt mornings of
an April day, that taking a book with her
as uſual, ſhe went down to the ſea ſide, and
fat reading for ſome hours; when juſt as ſhe
was about to return home, ſhe ſaw a beau-
tiful little boy, about five years old, wan-
dering towards the place where ſhe was,
picking up thells and ſea weeds, and ap-
pearing


THE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE. 103
pearing to be ſo deeply engaged in his in-
fantine purſuit, that he did not ſee her 'till
ſhe ſpoke to him.
“ Whoſe ſweet little boy are you, my
“ love?” ſaid ſhe.
The child looked at her with ſur-
prize.
“ I am my mania's boy,” ſaid he, “ and
“ fo is Henry," pointing towards another
who now approached, and who ſeemed
hardly a year younger.
The ſecond running up to his brother,
caught his hand, and they both walked
away together, looking behind at the ſtrange
lady with ſome degree of alarm.
Their dreſs convinced Emmeline that
they belonged to a ſtranger; and as they
feemed to have nobody with them, ſhe was
under ſome apprehenſion for their ſafety,
and therefore aroſe to follow them, when on
turning round the point of a rock whoſe
projection had concealed the ſhore to the
left, ſhe ſaw a lady walking ſlowly before
her, whom the two little boys had now re-
joined. In her hand ſhe led a little girl,
F4
who


104 •
E M M E L I NE ,
eu
who ſeemed only learning to walk; and
ſhe was followed by a nurſery maid, who
held in her arms another, yet an infant at
the breaſt.
The ſtranger, near whom Emmeline was
obliged to paſs, curtſyed to her as ſhe went
by. And if Emmeline was ſurpriſed at the
early appearance of company at a time when
ſhe knew it to be ſo unuſual, the ſtranger
was much more fo at the uncommon ele-
gance of her form and manner : ſhe was
almoſt tempted to believe the fable of the
ſea nympths, and to fancy this one of
them.
Emmeline, on regaining her apartment,
heard from the hoſteſs, whom ſhe found
with another neighbour, that the lady ſhe
had ſeen arrived the evening before, and
had taken lodgings at the houſe of the lat-
ter, with an intention of ſtaying great part
of the ſummer.
The next day Emmeline again met the
ftranger; who accoſting the fair orphan
with all that eaſe which characteriſes the
addreſs of thoſe who have lived much in
good


THE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE, 105
good company, they foon entered into
converſation, and Emmeline almoſt as
foon diſcovered that her new acquaintance
poffeffed an understanding as excellent as
her perſon and addreſs were captivating.
c. She appeared to be not more than five
or fix and twenty: but her perfon ſeeined
to have ſuffered from ſorrow that diminu-
tion of its charms which time could not yet
have effected. Her complexion was faded
and wan; her eyes had loſt their luſtre;
and a penſive and languid exprellion fat
on her countenance.
After the firſt converſation, the two la-
dies found they liked each other ſo well,
that they met by agreeinent every day.
Emmeline generally went early to the
lodgings of Mrs. Stafford, and ſtayed the
whole day with her; charmed to have
found in her new friend, one who could
ſupply to her all the deficiencies of her
foriner inſtructors.
To a very ſuperior underſtanding, Mis.
Stafford added t'ie advantages of a polithod
education, and all that eaſe of muner,
F 5
wliichu
WEIL


106 E'M M E L IN E,
which the commerce of faſhion can fupply.
She had read a great deal; and her mind,
originally elegant and refined, was highly
cultivated, and embelliſhed with all the
knowledge that could be acquired from the
beſt authors in the modern languages.
Her diſpoſition ſeemed to have been na-
turally chearful; for a ray of vivacity
would frequently light up her countenance,
and a lively and agreeable converſation
call forth all it's animated gaiety. But it
feldom laſted long. Some ſettled uneaſi-
neſs lay lurking in her heart ; and when it
recurred forcibly to her, as it frequently
did in the midſt of the moſt intereſting dif-
courſe, a cloud of ſorrow obſcured the
brilliancy of her countenance and her lan-
guage, and ſhe became penſive, filent,
and abſent.
Einineline obſerved this with concern;
but was not yet intimate enough with her
to enquire or diſcover the cauſe.
Sometimes, when ſhe was herſelf occu-
pied in drawing, or ſome other purſuit in
which Mis. Stafford delighted to inſtruct
her, ſhe ſaw, that her friend, believing
re
herſelf


THE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE. 107
?
herſelf unobſerved, gave way to all the
melancholy that oppreſſed her heart; and
as her children were playing round her,
ſhe would gaze mournfully on them 'till
the tears ſtreamed down her cheeks.
By degrees the utmoſt confidence took
place between them on every lubject but one.
Mrs. Stafford never dwelt on the cauſe,
whatever it was, which occaſioned her to
be ſo frequently uneaſy; nor did ſhe ever
complain of being ſo: but ſhe liſtened
with the warmeſt intereſt to the little tale
Emmeline had to relate, and told her in
return as much of her own hiſtory as ſhe
thought it neceſſary for her to know.
Emmeline found that ſhe was not a wi-
dow, as ſhe had at firſt fuppoſed; for ſhe
ſpoke ſometimes of her huſband, and ſaid
The expected him at Swanſea. .
She had been married at a very early
age; and they now generally reſided at an
houſe which Mr. Stafford's father, who was
ſtill living, had purchaſed for them in Dor-
ſetihire.
" I came hither,” ſaid the, “ thus
“ early in the year, at Mr. Stafford's re-
queſt,


108
E M M E LINE,
n-
as queſt, who is fond of improvements and
alterations, and who intends this ſum-
“ mer to add conſiderably to our houſe;
“ which is already too large, I think, for
" our preſent fortune. I was glad to get
" away from the confuſion of workmen,
- to which I have an averfion; and anxi-
66 ous to let Charles and Henry, who had
" the meaſles in the autumn and who have
“ been frequently ill fince, have a long
courſe of ſea-bathing. I mighi indeed
have gone to Weymouth or ſome nearer
" place; but I wiſh to avoid general coin-
66 pany, which I could not have done
“ where I am ſure of mecting ſo many of
“ my acquaintance. I rejoice now at
“ my preference of Swanſea, fince it has
““ been the means of my knowing you,
“ my dear Emmeline.”
“And I, Madam,” returned Emme-
line, “ have reaſon to conſider the concur-
“ rence of circumſtances that brought you
“ here as the moſt fortunate for me.
" Yet I own to you, that the charm of
.“ fuch fociety is accompanied with great
“ pain, in anticipating the hour when 1
rs muſt


THE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE. rog
u muſt again return to that folitude I
“ have 'till now conſidered as my greateſt
- enjoyment.”
- Ah! my dear girl !” replied Mrs.
Stafford, “ check in its firſt appearance a
“ propenſity which I ſee you frequently
ş« betray, to anticipate diſpleaſing or un-
« fortunate events. When you have lived
“ a few years longer, you will, I fear,
“ learn that every day has evils enough
“ of it's own, and that it is well for us we
« know nothing of thoſe which are yet
« to come. I ſpeak froin experience;
"s for I, when not older than you now are,
« had a perpetual tendency to fancy fu-
“ ture calamities, and embittered by that
“ means many of thoſe hours which would
66 otherwiſe have been really happy. Yet
“ has not my pre-ſentiments, tho' moſt
66 of them have been unhappily verified,
“ enabled me to avoid one of thoſe thorns
"s with which my path has been thickly
66 ſtrewn."
Emmeline hoped now to hear what
hand had ſtrewn them. .
Mrs.


11o Ε Μ Μ Ε Ι Ι Ν Ε, . .
Mrs. Stafford, fighing deeply, fell into
a reverie; and continuing long ſilent, Em-
meline could not reſolve to renew a con
yerſation ſo evidently painful to her.
· It was now ſix weeks ſince ſhe had firſt
feen Mrs. Stafford, and the hours had paſſed
in a ſeries of felicity of which ſhe had 'till
then formed no idea.
Mrs. Stafford, delighted with the lively
attachment of her young friend, was charmed
to find herſelf capable of adorning her in-
genuous and tender mind with all that
knowledge which books or the world had
qualified her to impart.
They read together every day; and Em-
meline, under the tuition of her charming
preceptreſs, had made ſome progreſs in
French and Italian; and ſhe was amazed
at her own ſucceſs in drawing ſince ſhe
had received from Mrs. Stafford rules of
which ſhe was before ignorant.
As the ſummer advanced, a few ſtrag-
glers came in, and it was no longer won-
derful to ſee a ſtranger. But Mrs. Stafford
and Miſs Mowbray, perfectly ſatisfied with
each


THE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE. III
each other, ſought not to enlarge their ſo-
ciety. They ſometimes held ſhort con-
verſations with the tranſient viſitants of the
place, but more uſually avoided thoſe
walks where it was likely they ſhould meet
them.
Early one morning, they were returning
from the bathing place together, muffled
up in their inorning dreſſes.
They had ſeen at a diſtance two gentle-
inen, whom they did not particularly no-
tice; and Emmeline, leaning on the arm
of her friend, was again anticipating all
ſhe ſhould ſuffer when the hour came
which would ſeparate them, and recol-
lecting the different company and conver-
ſation to which ſhe had been condemned
from the death of Mrs. Carey to her quit-
_ ting Mowbray Caſtle-
“ You have not only taught me, my
“ dear Mrs. Stafford,” ſaid ſhe, « to
“ dread more than ever being thrown
“ back into ſuch company; but you have
“ alſo made me fear that I Thall never
“ reliſh the general converſation of the
" world.


112 E M M E LI NE ..
56 world. As I diſliked the manners of
66 an inferior deſcription of people when I
“ firſt knew them, becauſe they did not
“ reſemble thoſe of the dear good woman
:“. who brought me up; fo I ſhall , un-
doubtedly be diſappointed and diſſatis-
“ 'fied with the generality of thoſe ac-
“ quaintance I may meet with, for I am
« afraid there are as few Mrs. Staffords
« in your rank of life as there were Mrs.
- Careys in her's. However there is no
“ great likelihood, I believe, at preſent,
" of my being convinced how little they
“ reſemble you; for it is not probable I
« ſhall be taken from hence."
.“ Perhaps,” anſwered Mrs. Stafford,
“ you might be permitted to ſtay ſome
“ months next winter with me. I ſhall
“ paſs the whole of it in the country; the
“ greateſt part of it probably alone; and
“ ſuch a companion would aſſiſt in charm-
“ ing away many of thoſe hours, which
« now, tho' I have more reſources than
“ moſt people, ſometimes are heavy and
“ melancholy. My children are not yet
e more
"
old


THE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE. 113
" old enough to be my companions; and
66 I know not how it is, but I have often
.66 more pain than pleaſure in being with
" them.' When I remember, or when I
“ feel how little happineſs there is in the
66 world, I tremble for their future deſtiny;
" and in the exceſs of affection, regret
“ having introduced them into a ſcene of
" ſo much pain as I have hitherto found
“ it. But tell me, Emmeline, do you
" think if I apply to Lord Montreville he
will allow you to paſs ſome time with
66 me?”
“ Dear Madam,” ſaid Emmeline, ea-
gerly, “ what happineſs do you offer me !
“ Lord Montreville would certainly think
“ me highly honoured by ſuch an invitation."
66 Shall I anſwer for Lord Montreville,"
ſaid a voice behind them, “ as his imme-
66 diate repreſentative?"
Emmeline ſtarted; and turning quickly,
beheld Mr. Delamere and Fitz-Edward.
Delamere caught her hands in his.
" Have I then found you, my lovely
“ couſin?” cried he.--- Oh! happineſs
“ unexpected!
He
imme-


114 E M M E LINE,
He was proceeding with even more than
his uſual vehemence; but Fitz-Edward
thought it neceſſary to ſtop him.
“ You promiſed, Frederic, before I
“ conſented to come with you, that you
« would defiſt from theſe extravagant
“ flights. Come, I beg Miſs Mowbray
“ may be permitted to ſpeak to her other ac-
« quaintance; and that ſhe will do us both
“ the honour to introduce us to her friend.”
Emmeline had loſt all courage and recol-
lection on the appearance of Delamere.
Mrs. Stafford ſaw her diſtreſs; and af-
fuming a cold and diſtant manner, the
faid " Miſs Mowbray, I apprehend from
66 what this gentleman has ſaid, that he
“ has a meſſage to you from Lord Mon-
66 treville."
“ Has my Lord, Sir,” ſaid Emme-
line to Delamere,-“ has my Lord Mon-
" treville been ſo good as to honour me
“ with any commands?”
“ Cruel girl !” anſwered he; “ you
“ know too well that my father is not ac-
“ quainted with my being here.”
( Then


THE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE. 115
CO
now I
“ Then you certainly ought not to be
of here,” ſaid Emmeline, coolly ; " and you
“ muſt excuſe me, Sir, if I beg the favor
“ of you not to detain me, nor attempt to
“ renew a converſation ſo very improper,
“ indeed ſo cruelly injurious to me.”
Mrs. Stafford had Emmeline's arm within
her own, from the commencement of this
converſation; and ſhe now walked haſtily
on with her.
Delamere followed them, intreating to
be heard; and Fitz-Edward, addreſiing
himſelf on the other ſide to Mrs. Stafford,
befought her in a half whiſper to allow his
friend only a few moments to explain him-
ſelf to Miſs Mowbray.
" No, Sir! I muſt be excuſed,” an-
ſwered the “ If Miſs Mowbray does me
“ the honour to conſult me, I ſhall cer-
“ tainly adviſe her againſt committing
“ ſuch an indiſcretion as liſtening to Mr.
66 Delamere.”
« Ah, Madam !” ſaid the colonel, throw-
ing into his eyes and manner all that infi-
nuation of which he was ſo perfect a maſter,
“ is


116
Ε,
Ε
Ν
Μ
Ι
Μ
L
Ε
“ is it poſſible, that with a countenance
“ where ſoftneſs and compaſſion feem to in-
« vite the unhappy to truſt you with their
“ ſorrows, you have a cruel and unfeeling
“ heart? Lay by for a moment your bar-
“ barous prudence in favour of my unfor-
“ tunate friend ; upon my honour, nothing
66 but the conviction that his life was at
66 ſtake, would have induced me to ac-
“ company hin hither ; and I pledge my-
“ ſelf for the propriety of his conduct. He
“.only begs to be forgiven by Miſs Mow-
bray for his improper treatment of her at
« Mowbray Caſtle ; to be aſſured ſhe is in
“ health and ſafety; and to hear that ſhe
“ does not hate him for all the uneaſineſs
" he has given her; and having done ſo,
“ he promiſes to return to his family.
“ Upon my ſoul” continued he, laying his
hand upon his breaſt, “ I know not what
66 would have been the conſequence, lad
" I not conſented to aſſiſt him in deceiving
56 his family and coming hither ; but I
s have reaſon to think he would have
66 made ſome wild attempt to ſecure to
himſelf


THE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE. 117
« himſelf more frequent interviews with
• Miſs Mowbray; and that a total diſap-
“ pointment of the project he had formed
“ for ſeeing her, would have been attended
“ with a violence of paſſion ariſing even to
“ frenzy.--Madneſs or death would per-
“haps have been the event.”
Mrs. Stafford turned her eyes on Fitz-
Edward, with a look ſufficiently expreſſive
of incredulity -“ Does a modern man of
“ faſhion pretend to talk of madneſs and
56 death? You certainly imagine, Sir, that
“ you are ſpeaking to ſome romantic inha-
“ bitant of a Welch provincial town,
“ whoſe ideas are drawn from a circulating
“ library, and confirmed by the converſa-
“ tion of the captain in quarters.”
“ Ah, madain,” ſaid he, “ I know not
66 to whom I have the honour of addreſſing
“ myſelf,” (though he knew perfectly
well ;) “ but I feel too certainly that mad-
** neſs and death would be preferable to
56 the miſery ſuch coldneſs and cruelty as
“ your's would infiict on me, was it my
** misfortune to love as violently as Dela-
56 mere ;
CION


118 E M M E LINE,
e
&
Was
“ mere ; and indeed I tremble, leaſt in en-
“ deavouring to aftiſt my friend I have en-
“ dangered myſelf.”
Of this ſpeech, Mrs. Stafford, who be-
lieved he did not know her, took very little
notice; and turning towards Emmeline,
who had in the mean time been liſtening in
trembling apprehenſion to the ardent de-
clarations of Delamere, ſaid it was time
to return home.
Delamere, without attending to her hint,
renewed his importunities for her friendſhip
and intereſt with Miſs Mowbray ; to which,
as ſoon as he would allow her to anſwer, ſhe
ſaid very gravely—“ Sir, as Miſs Mow-
“ bray ſeems ſo much alarmned at your pur-
“ ſuing her hither, and as you muſt be
“ yourſelf ſenſible of it's extreme impro-
“ priety, I hope you will not lengthen an
" interview which can only produce uneaſi-
* neſs for you both.”
“ Let us go home, for heaven's fake !""
whiſpered Emmeline.
“ They are determined you ſee to fol-
low


THE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE. ITO
UIS
« low us,” replied her friend; “ we will
“ however go.”
By this time they were near the door; and
Mrs. Stafford wiſhing the two gentlemen a
good morning, was hurrying with Emme-
line into the houſe; but Fitz-Edward took
hold of her arm.
" One word, only, ma lam, and we will
66 intrude upon you no farther at preſent :
“ ſay that you will ſuffer us to ſee you again
- to-morrow.
“ Not if I can help it, be aſſured,
" Sir.”
“ Then, madam,” ſaid Delamere, “you
" muſt allow me to finiſh now what I have
“ to ſay'to Miſs Mowbray.”
" Good heaven ! Sir,” exclaimed Em-
meline, “ why will you thus perſiſt in dif-
“ treſſing me? You are perhaps known to
« Mrs. Watkins; your name will be at
“ leaſt known to her; and intelligence of
“ your being here will be inſtantly ſent to
66 Lord Montreville.”
Emmeline, by no means aware that this
ſpeech implied a deſire of concealment, the
motives


120
E M M E L I NE ,
motives of which might appear highly
flattering to Delamere, was ſoon made
ſenſible of it's import by his anſwer.
“ Enough, my adorable Emmeline!”
cried he eagerly, “ if I am worthy of a
“ thought of that fort, I am leſs wretched
66 than I believed myſelf. I will not now in-
“ fiſt on a longer audience; but to-morrow
" I muſt ſee you again.—Your amiable
66 friend here will intercede for me. I
“ muſt not be refuſed; and will wiſh you
“ a good day before you can form fo
“ cruel a reſolution.”
So ſaying, he bowed to Mrs. Stafford,
kiſſed Emmeline's hand, and departed with
Fitz-Edward from the door.
СНАР-


THE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE, 121
CH A P T ER VIII.
THE two fair friends no ſooner en-
1 tered the houſe, than Emmeline
threw herſelf into a chair, and burſt into
tears.
" Ah ! my dear madam,” faid ſhe, ſob-
bing, “ what will now become of me?
66 Lord Montreville will believe I have
56 correſponded with his fon; he will with-
66 draw all favour and confidence from me;
“ and I ſhall be undone !"
- Do not thus diſtreſs yourſelf,” ſaid
Mrs. Stafford, tenderly taking her hand
“ I hope the raſh and cruel conduct of this
“ young man will not have the conſe-
quences you apprehend. Lord Mon-
“ treville, from your foriner conduct, will
" eaſily credit your not having encouraged
« this viſit.”
" Ah! my dear Mrs. Stafford,” replied
VOL. 1.
G
Emme.


122 EMMELINE,
Emmeline, “ you do not know Lord
5 Montreville. He haſtily formed a notion
" that I made an appointment with Mr.
- Delamere at Mowbray Caſtle, when I
6 had not even ſeen him above once; and
“ though, from my eagerneſs to leave it,
" I believe he afterwards thought he had
66 been too haſty, yet ſo ſtrong was that
« firſt impreſiion, that the ſlighteſt cir-
6 cumſtance would, I know, renew it as
6 forcibly as ever : for he has one of thoſe
“ tempers, which having once entertained
“ an idea of a perſon's conduct or cha-
«« racter, never really alters it, though
“ they ſee the moſt convincing evidence
“ of it's fallacy. Having once ſuppoſed I
“ favoured the addreſſes of Mr. Delamere,
“ as you know he did, at Mowbray Caſtle,
the preſent viſit will convince him he
“ was right, and that I am the moſt artful
“ as well as the moſt ungrateful of beings.”
Mrs. Stafford heſitated a moment, and
then ſaid, “ I ſee all the evil you appre-
" hend. To convince Lord Montreville
• 6 of


THE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE. 123
“ of your ignorance of Delamere's deſign,
~ and your total rejection of his clandeſtine
" addreſſes, ſuppoſe I were to write to him?
“ He muſt be prejudiced and uncanded
« indeed, if after ſuch information he is
• not convinced of your innocence.”
To this propoſal, Emmeline conſented,
with aſſurances of the livelieſt gratitude ;
and Mrs. Stafford returning to her lodgings,
wrote the following letter to Lord Mon-
treville :
Swanſea, June 20.
“ My Lord,
" A ſhort abode at this place, has
“ given me the pleaſure of knowing Miſs
Mowbray, to whoſe worth and prudence
" I am happy to bear teſtimony. At the
“ requeſt of this amiable young woman, I
“ am now to addreſs your Lordſhip with
“ information that Mr. Delamere came
s hither yeſterday with Mr. Fitz-Edward,
" and has again renewed thoſe addreſſes to
66 Miſs Mowbray which ſhe knows to be ſo
“ diſagreeable to your Lordſhip, and which
G 2
cannot
m no


124 E M M E L I NE,
mol
5 cannot but be extremely prejudicial to
“ her. Circumſtanced as ſhe is at this
“ place, ſhe cannot entirely avoid him;
“ but ſhe hopes your Lordſhip will be
“ convinced how truly the laments the
pain this improper conduct of Mr. De-
“ lamere will give you, and ſhe loſes not
“ a moment in beſeeching you to write to
“ him, or otherwiſe to interfere in pre-
vailing on him to quit Swanſea; and to
“ prevent his continuing to diſtreſs her by
“ a purſuit ſo unwelcome to you, and ſo
“ injurious to her honour and repoſe.
“ I have the honour to be,
« my Lord,
“ your Lordſhip’s
“ moſt obedient ſervant,
“ C. STAFFORD.”
This letter being extremely approved of
by Emmeline, was put into the next day's
poſt; and the two ladies ſet out for their
walk at a very early hour, flattering them-
ſelves they ſhould return before Delamere
and


THE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE, 125
and Fitz-Edward (who was lately raiſed to
the rank of lieutenant-colonel) were abroad.
But in this they deceived themſelves.
They were again overtaken by their importu-
nate purſuers, who had now agreed to vary
the mode of their attack. Fitz-Edward, who
knew the power of his inſidious eloquence
over the female heart, undertook to plead for
his friend to Emmeline, while Delamere was
to try to intereſt Mrs. Stafford, and engage
her good offices in his behalf.
· They no ſooner joined the ladies, than De-
lamere ſaid to the latter " After the diſcou-
“ raging reception of yeſterday, nothing but
“ being purſuaded that your heart will refuſe
" to confirm the rigour you think yourſelf
« obliged to adopt, could make me ven-
6 ture, Madam, to folicit your favour
56 with Miſs Mowbray. I now warmly
“ implore it; and ſurely”
“ Can you believe, Sir,” ſaid Mrs
Stafford, interrupting him, “ that I ſhal}
“ ever influence Miſs Mowbray to liſten
« to you; knowing, as I do, the averſion
« of your family to your entertaining any
G3 “honourable


· 126
E M M E L I NE,
atei
“ honourable views and having reaſon to
“ believe you have yourſelf formed thoſe
" that are very different ?”
“ You have no reaſon to believe ſo,
6 Madarn," interrupted Delamere in his
turn; * and muſt wilfully miſtake me,
66 as an excuſe for your cold and unkind
56 manner of treating me. By heaven! I
“ love Emmeline with a paſſion as pure as
“ it is violent; and if ſhe would but con-
6 ſent to it, will marry her in oppoſition to
“o all the world. Allift me then, dear
“6 and amiable Mrs. Stafford! aſſiſt me to
“ conquer the unreaſonable prejudice ſhe
56 has conceived againſt a ſecret marriage!"
" Never, Sir, will I counſel Miſs
56 Mowbray to accept ſuch a propoſal!
“ Never will I adviſe her to unite her-
“ ſelf with one whoſe family diſdain to
“ receive her; and by clandeſtinely ſteal-
“ ing into it, either diſturb it's peace, or
“ undergo the humiliation of living the
66 wife of a man who dares not own her!”
“ And who, Madamn, has ſaid that I
“ dare not own her? Does not the ſame
“ blood


THE THE
RPH AN
ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE. 127
“ blood run in our veins? Is ſne not
“ worthy, from her perſonal inerit, of a
“ throne if I had a throne to offer her?
“ And do you ſuppoſe I mean to ſacrifice
“ the happineſs of my whole life to the
“ narrow policy or ſelfiſh ambition of
“ my father?”
.“ Wait then, Sir, 'till time ſhall pro-
“ duce ſome alteration in your favour.
“ Emmeline is yet very young, too young
« indeed to marry. Perhaps, when Lord
“ and Lady Montreville are convinced
“ that ſhe only can make you happy, they
“ may conſent to your union.”
“ You little know, Madam, the hope-
« leſſneſs of ſuch an expectation. Were
“ it poſſible that any arguments, any mo-
“ tives could engage my father to forego
“ all the projects of aggrandizing his fa-
6 mily by ſplendid and rich alliances,
“ my mother will, I know, ever be inexor-
as able. She will not hear the name of
" Emmeline. Laſt winter ſhe inceſſantly
6 perſecuted me with propoſals of mar-
~ riage, and is now bent upon perſuading
G4
ro me


128
E M M EL IN E,
“ me to engage my hand to Miſs Otley,
ro a relation of her own, who poſſeſſes in-
“ deed an immenſe fortune, and is of
“ rank; but who of all women living
" would make me the moſt miſerable.
« The fatiguing arguments I have heard
“ about this match, and the fruitleſs and
“ inceſſant ſolicitude of my mother, con-
66 vince me I cannot, for both our fakes,
“ too ſoon put an end to it.”
- Mrs. Stafford, notwithſtanding the ve-
hement plauſibility of Delamere, ftill de-
clined giving to Emmeline ſuch advice
as he wiſhed to engage her to offer; and
tho' aware of all the advantages ſuch a
marriage would procure her friend, The
would not influence her to a determina-
tion her heart could not approve.
While Delamere therefore was pleading
vainly to her, Fitz-Edward was exhauſt-
ing, in his diſcourſe with Emmeline, all
that rhetoric on behalf of his friend, which
had already ſucceeded ſo frequently for
himſelf. Tho' he had given way to
Delamere’s eagerneſs, and had accompa-
nied


THE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE. 129
me
nied him in purſuit of Miſs Mowbray, after
a few feeble arguments againſt it, he
never intended to encourage him in his
reſolution of marrying her; which he
thought a boyiſh and romantic plan, and
one of which he would probably be weary
before it could be executed. But as it was a
military maxim, that in love and war all
ſtratageins are allowable, he failed not to
lay as much ſtreſs on the honourable in-
tentions of Delamere, as if he had really
meant to aſſiſt in carrying them into effect.
Emmeline heard him in ſilence: or
when an anſwer of ſome kind ſeemed to
be extorted from her, ſhe told him that
The referred herſelf entirely to Mrs. Staf-
ford, and would not even ſpeak upon
the ſubject but before her, and as the
ſhould dictate.
In this way ſeveral meetings paffed be-
tween Delamere, the colonel, and the
two ladies; for unleſs the latter had wholly
confined themſelves, there was no poſſible
way of avoiding the importunate aſſiduity.
of the gentleinen. Fitz-Edward had a
G 5
ſervant


130 E M M É † IN E,
ſervant who was an adept in ſuch com:
miſſions, and who was kept conſtantly on
the watch ; ſo that they were traced and
followed, in ſpite of all their endeavours to
avoid it.
Mrs. Stafford, however, perſuaded Em-
meline to be leſs uneaſy at it, as ſhe aſſured
her ſhe would never leave her; and that
there could be no iniſrepreſentation of her
conduct while they were together.
Every day they expected ſome conſe-
quence from Mrs. Stafford's letter to Lord
Montreville ; but for ten days, though they
had heard nothing, they ſatisfied themſelves
with conjectures.
· Ten days more inſenſibly paſſed by; and
they began to think it very extraordinary
that his Lordſhip ſhould give no attention
to an affair, which only a few months before
ſeemed to have occaſioned him ſo much
ſerious alarm.
• In this interval, Delamere ſaw Emmeline
every day; and Fitz-Edward, on behalf of
his friend's views, attached himſelf to Mrs.
Stafford with an attention as marked and as
warm


THE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE. 13r
PW
warm as that of Delainere towards Miſs
Mowbray.
He was well aware of the power a woman
of her underſtanding muſt have over an
heart like Emmeline's; ſo new to the world,
ſo ingenuous, and ſo much inclined to in-
dulge all the delicious enthuſiaſın of early
friendſhip.
· He had had a ſlight acquaintance with
Mrs. Stafford when ſhe was firſt married ;
and knew enough of her huſband to be in-
formed of the ſource of that dejection,
which, through all her endeavours to con-
ceal it, frequently appeared; and having
lived always among thoſe who conſider at-
tachments to inarried women as allowable
gallantries, and having had but too much
fucceſs among thein, Fitz-Edward thought
he could take advantage of Mrs. Stafford's
ſituation, to entangle her in a connection
which would make her more indulgent to
the weakneſs of her friend for Delainere.
Bat ſuch was the awful, yet ſimple dig-
nity of her inanner, and ſo ſacred the pu-
rity of unaffected virtue, that he dared not
G 6
hazard


I 32
E M M E LINE,
hazard offending her; while aware of the
tendency of his flattering and inceſſant aſſi-
duity, ſhe was always watchful to prevent
any diminution of the reſpect ſhe had a
right to exact; and without affecting to
ſhun his ſociety, which was extremely agree-
able, ſhe never ſuffered him to affume, in his
converſation with her, thoſe freedoms which
often made him admired by others; nor
allowed him to avow that libertiniſm of
principle which ſhe lamented that he pof-
felfed.
Fitz-Edward, who had at firſt under-
taken to entertain her merely with a view
of favouring Delamere's converſation with
Emmelinę, inſenſibly found that it had
charms on his own account. He could not
be inſenſible of the graces of a mind ſo
highly cultivated; and he felt his admira-
tion mingled with a reverence and eſteem
of which he had never before been ſenſible :
but his vanity was piqued at the coldneſs
with which ſhe received his ſtudied and de-
licate adulation; and, for the firſt time in
his life, he was obliged to acknowledge to
himſelf


THE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE. 133
womai
himſelf that there might be a woman whoſe
mind was ſuperior to it's influence.
Not being diſpoſed very tranquilly to
ſubunit to this mortifying conviction, he
became more anxious to ſecure that partia-
lity from Mrs. Stafford, which, ſince he
found it ſo hard to acquire, became neceſſary
to his happineſs; and, in the hope of ob-
taining it, he would probably long have pere
ſiſted, had not his attention been ſoon after-
wards diverted to another object.
It wanted only a few days of a month
ſince Mrs. Stafford's letter was diſpatched
to Lord Montreville. But the careleſſneſs
of the ſervant who was left in charge of the
houſe in Berkley-ſquare was the only reaſon
of his not noticing it.
Immediately after the birth-day, his
Lordſhip had quitted London on a viſit to
a nobleman in Buckinghamſhire, whither
his ſon had attended him, and where they
parted. Delamere, under pretence of ſee-
ing his friend Percival, really went into
Berkſhire; and Lord Montreville, having
inliſted on Delamere's joining him at the
houſe


134 ‘E MME LINE,
houſe of Lady Mary Otley, beyond Dur-
ham, where Lady Montreville and her two
daughters were already gone, ſet out him-
ſelf for that place, where they intended to
paſs the months of July and Auguſt. He
had many friends to viſit on the road ; and
when his Lordſhip arrived there, he found
all his letters had, inſtead of following him
as he had directed, been ſent immediately
thither; and inſtead of finding his ſon, or
an account of his intended arrival, he had
the mortification of reading Mrs. Stafford's
information.
Delamere had, indeed, paſſed a few days
with Mr. Percival, and had written to his
father from thence; but he had alſo ſeen
Headly, from whoin he had extorted the
ſecret of Emmeline’s reſidence.
Fitz-Edward, to whoſe fifter Mr. Per-
cival was lately married, had joined Dela-
mere at the houſe of his brother-in-law : and
Delamere perſiſting in his reſolution of
ſeeing Emmeline, had, without much diffi-
culty, prevailed on Fitz-Edward, (who had
fome weeks on his hands before he was to
join


THE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE. 135
join his regiment in Ireland, and who had
no averſion to any plan that looked like an
intrigue) to accompany him.
They contrived to gain Mr. Percival :
and Delamere, by incloſing letters to him,
which were forwarded to his father as if he
had been ſtill there, imagined that he had
prevented all probability of diſcovery.
Could he have perſuaded Emmeline to a
Scottiſh marriage, (which he very firmly
believed he ſhould) he intended, as ſoon
as they were married, to have taken her to
the houſe of Lady Mary Otley, and to have
preſented her to his father, his mother, his
fifters, and Lady Mary and her daughter,
who were alſo his relations, as his wife.
Lord Montreville, on reading Mrs. Staf-
ford's letter, ſhut himſelf up in his own
apartment to conſider what was to be
done.
He knew Delamere too well to believe
that writing, or the agency of any other per-
fon, would have on him the leaſt effect.
He was convinced therefore he muſt go
himſelf; yet to return immediately, without
giving


136 EMMELINE4
ce
,
giving Lady Montreville ſome very good
reaſon, was impoſſible; nor could he think
of any that would content her, but the truth.
Though he would very willingly have con-
cealed from her what had happened, he was
obliged to ſend for her, and communicate
to her the intelligence received from Mrs.
Stafford.
Her Ladyſhip, whoſe pride was, if pof-
ſible, more than adequate to her highi
blood (and whoſe paſſions were as ſtrong
as her reaſon was feeble) received this in-
formation with all thoſe expreſſions of rage
and contempt which Lord Montreville had
foreſeen.
Though the conduct of Emmeline was
fuch as all her prejudice could not miſ-
underſtand, ſhe loaded her with harſh and
injurious appellations, and blamed his
Lordſhip for having foftered a little reptile,
who was now likely to diſgrace and ruin the
fainily to which the pretended to belong.
She proteſted, that if Delamere dared to
harbour fo degrading an idea as that of
marrying her, ſhe would blot him for ever
from


THE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE. 137
W-
from her affection, and if poſſible from her
memory.
Lord Montreville was obliged to wait 'till
the violence of her firſt emotion had ſub-
ſided, before he ventured to propoſe going
himſelf to recall Delamere.
To this propoſal, however, her Ladyſhip
agreed; and when ſhe became a little
cooler, conſented readily to conceal, if pof-
ſible, from Lady Mary Otley, the reaſon of
Lord Montreville's abrupt departure, which
was fixed for the next day; for the know-
ledge of it could not have any good effect
on the ſentiments of Lady Mary and her
daughter; the former of whom was at pre-
ſent as anxious as Lady Montreville for an
union of their families.
After ſome farther reflection, Lord Mon-
treville thought that as Delamere was ex-
tremely fond of his youngeſt fifter, her in-
fluence might be of great uſe in detaching
him from his purſuit. It was therefore ſet-
tled that ſhe ſhould accompany his Lord-
ſhip; making the moſt plauſible ſtory they
could, to account for a departure ſo un-
expected;


138
E M M E LINE,
expected; and leaving Lady Montreville
and Miſs Delamere as pledges of their in-
tended return, Lord Montreville and his
daughter Auguſta ſet out poft for London,
in their way to Swanſea.
CH A'P T E R
IX.
TMMELINE had, for ſome days,
complained of a ſlight indiſpoſition ;
and being ſomewhat better, had determined
to walk out in the evening; but having ra-
ther favoured and indulged her illneſs, as it
gave her a pretext for avoiding Delamere,
(whole long and vehement affiduities began
to give great uneaſineſs to both the ladies),
fhe ſtill anſwered to their enquiries that ſhe
was too ill to leave her room, and in con-
fequence of this meſſage, ſhe and Mrs.
Stafford, who came to ſit with her, ſoon
afterwards ſaw the Colonel and Delamere:
ride by as if for their evening airing. They
kiffed


THE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE. 139
kiſſed their hands as they paſſed; and as
foon as the ladies believed them quite out
of fight, and had obſerved the way they
had gone, Emmeline, who had confined
herſelf three days to her room, and who
languiſhed for air, propoſed a ſhort walk the
oppoſite way, to which Mrs. Stafford con-
fented ; and as ſoon as the heat was a lit-
tle abated, they ſet out, and enjoyed a com-
fortable and quiet walk for near an hour;
from which they were returning, when they
ſaw Delamere and Fitz-Edward riding to-
wards them.
They diſmounted, and giving their
horſes to their ſervants, joined them ; Dea
lamere reproaching Emmeline for the arti-
fice ſhe had uſed, yet congratulating
himſelf on ſeeing her again. But his ey
eagerly running over her perſon, betrayed
his extreme anxiety and concern at obſerv-
ing her pale and languid looks, and the
laffitude of her whole frame.
Fitz-Edward, in a whiſper, made the
fame remarks on her appearance to Mrs.
Stafford; who anſwered, 6 that if Mr.
" Delamere
e
.


140 E M M E LINE,
“ Delamere perſiſted in purſuing her, the
“ did not doubt but that it would end in
“ her going into a decline.
“ Say rather,” anſwered Fitz-Edward
artfully, “ that the intereſting languor on
“ the charming countenance of your friend,
66 ariſes from the ſenſibility of her heart.
“ She cannot ſurely ſee Delamere dying
56 for her as he is, without feeling fome
“ diſpoſition to anſwer a paſſion fo ardent
“ and ſincere. I know it is impoſible ſhe
66 ſhould. It is only your Stoical prudence,
- your cold and unfeeling boſom, which
“ can arm itſelf againſt all the enthuſiaſm
s of love, all the tenderneſs of friendſhip.
66 Miſs Mowbray's heart is made of ſofter
“ materials; and were it not for the in-
“ human reſerve you have taught her,
“ poor Delamere had long ſince met a.
“ more ſuitable return to an attachment,
66 of which almoſt any other woman would
“ glory in being the object.”
There was fomething in this fpeech par-
ticularly diſpleaſing to Mrs. Stafford ; -who
anſwered, “ that he could not pay her a
com-
eturn
1


THE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE. 141
“ compliment more gratifying, than when
“ he told her ſhe had been the means of
- ſaving Miſs Mowbray from indiſcretion;
*6 though ſhe was well convinced that her
“ own excellent underſtanding, and purity
“ of heart, made any monitor unneceſſary.”
« However," continued ſhe, “ if you
" think that my influence has prevented
“ her entering into all the wild projects of
“ Mr. Delamere, continue to believe, that
" while I am with her the fame influence
" will invariably be exerted to the ſame
“ purpoſe.”
Delamere and Emmeline, who were a
few paces before them while this dialogue
was paſſing, were now met by Parkinſon,
the colonel's ſervant, who addreſſing him-
ſelf to Delainere, told him that Lord Mon-
treville and one of the young ladies were
that moment alighted from their carriage
at the inn, and had ſent to his lodgings to
enquire for him.
Mrs. Stafford advancing, heard the intel-
ligence, and looked anxiouſly at Emmeline,
who
was
ere now


142
E M M E L I NE,
who turned paler than death at the thoughts
of Lord Montreville.
Delamere was alternately red and pale.
He heſitated, and tried to flatter himſelf
that Parkinſon was miſtaken ; while Fitz-
Edward, who found he ſhould be awkardly
ſituated between the father and ſon, filently
ineditated his defence.
Mrs. Stafford, who ſaw Emmeline ready
to ſink with the apprehenſion of being ſeen
walking with Delamere, intreated the gen-
tlemen to leave them and go to Lord Mon-
treville; which ſhe at length prevailed on'.
thein to do; Delamere preſſing Emme-
line's hand to his lips, and proteſting, with
a vehemence of manner particularly his
own, that no power on earth ſhould oblige
him to relinquiſh her.
Mrs. Stafford got the trembling Emmeline
home as well as ſhe could; where ſhe en-
deavoured to ſtrengthen her reſolution and'
reſtore her ſpirits, by repreſenting to her
the perfect rectitude with which ſhe had
acted.
But poor Delamere, who had no ſuch
con-


THE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE. 143
conſolatory reflections, felt very uneaſy,
and would willingly have avoided the im-
mediate explanation which he ſaw muſt
now take place with his father.
He deiermined, however, to temporize
no longer; but being abíolutely fixed in
his reſolution of marrying Emmeline, to
tell his father fo, and to meet all the effects
of his anger at once.
In this diſpoſition he deſired Fitz-
Edward to leave him ; and he entered alone
the parlour of the inn where Lord Mon-
treville waited for him. His countenance
expreſſed a mixture of anger and confu-
fion; while that of his Lordſhip betrayed
yet fterner ſymptoms of the ſtate of his
mind.
Augufta Delainere, her eyes red with
weeping, and her voice faultering through
agitation, aroſe, and inet her brother half
way.
“ My dear brother,” ſaid ſhe, taking his
hand.
He kiſſed her cheek; and bowing to his
father, fat down.
56 I have


144 E M M E LINE,
nd
“ I have taken the trouble to come his
- ther, Sir,” ſaid Lord Montreville, “in
conſequence of having received Infor-
- mation of the wicked and unworthy pur-
“ ſuit in which you have engaged. I com-
“ mand you upon your duty inſtantly to
“ return with me, and renounce for ever
“ the ſcandalous project of ſeducing an in-
“ nocent young woman, whom you ought
“ rather to reſpect and whom I will pro-
56 tect.”
"1 intend ever to do both, Sir; and
“ when ſhe is my wife, you will be releaſed
“ from the taſk of protecting her, and will
“ only have to love her as much as her
6c inerit deſerves. Be aſſured, my Lord,
“ I have no ſuch deſigns againſt the
" honour of Miſs Mowbray as you impute
“ to me. It is my determined and unal-
“ terable intention to marry her. Would
" to God your Lordſhip would conquer
“ the unreaſonable prejudice which you
rs have conceived againſt the only union
" which will ſecure the happineſs of your
6 ſon, and endeavour to reconcile my
« mother


THE ORPHÁN OF TAE CASTLE. 145
-
-
- -
-
66 inother to a marriage on which I am re-
56 ſolved.”
Having pronounced theſe words in a re-
ſolute tone, he aroſe from his ſeat, bowed
ſlightly to his father, and waving his hand
to his ſiſter, as if to prevent her following
him, he walked indignantly out of the
rooin.
Lord Montreville made no effort to ſtop
him.
But the recollection of the fatal indul.
gence with which he had been brought up,
recurred forcibly to his Lordſhip's mind ;
and he felt his anger againſt his ſon half
ſubdued by the reproaches he had to make
himſelf. The very ſight of this darling
ſon, was fo gratifying, that he almoſt for-
got his errors when he beheld him.
After a moment's pauſe, Lord Montre-
ville ſaid to his daughter, “ You fee, Au-
~ guſta, the diſpoſition your brother is
* in. Violent meaſures will, I fear, only
* make him deſperate. We muſt try
6 what can be done by Miſs Mowbray
« herſelf, who will undoubtedly conſent to
Vol. I.
" elude
rec
H


240 E M M E Ć I NE,
" elude his purſuit, and time may perhaps
" detach him from it entirely. For this
“ purpoſe, I would have you ſee Emmeline
« to-inorrow early; and having talked to
her, we can confider on what to deter-
“ mine. To night, try to recover your
* fatigue.”
“Let me go to night, Sir,” ſaid his
daughter." It is not yet more than eight
“ o'clock, and I am fenfible of no fatigue
" that ſhould prevent my ſeeing the young
“ lady immediately."
Lord Montreville aſſenting, Miſs De-
lamere, attended by a ſervant, walked to the
houſe of Mrs. Watkins.
The door was opened by the good wo-
man herſelf; and on enquiry for Miſs
Mowbray, ſhe deſired the lady to walk
in, and ſit down in her little room, while
the went up to let Miſs know." For I
“ can't tell,” faid ihe, (folding up a
ftocking ſhe was knitting) " whether the
“ be well enough to ſee a ſtrange gen-
“ tlewoman. She have been but poorly
* for this week; and to night, after the
66 came


THE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE. 147
~ came from walking, ſhe was in ſuch a
* taking, poor' thing, we thought ſhe'd
“ had a fit; and fo Madam Stafford, who
“ is juſt gone, bid her ſhe thould lie down:
“ a little and keep quiet.”. . .
This account added to the diſquiet of the
fair mediatrix; who fancied the heart of
Emmeline could hardly fail of being of
Delamere's party, and that uneaſineſs at his
father's arrival occaſioned the agitation of
her fpirits which Mrs. Watkins deſcribed.
Mrs. Watkins returned immediately,
ſaying that Miſs Emmy would be down in
a moment.
Emmeline inſtantly gueſſed who it was,
by the deſcription of the young Lady
and the livery of the ſervant who attended
her.
And now, with a beating heart and un-
certain ſtep, the entered the room.
Miſs Delamere had been prepared to ſee
a very beautiful perſon : but the fair figure
whom ſhe now beheld, though leſs dazlingly
handſome than ſhe expected, was yet more
intereſting and attractive than ſhe would
H 2
have


148
E M M E L I NE,
have appeared in the higheſt bloom of
luxuriant beauty. Her late illneſs had
robbed her cheeks of that tender bloom they
uſually boaſted ; timidity and apprehenſion
deprived her of much of the native dignity
of her manner; yet there was ſomething in
her face and deportment that inſtantly pre-
judiced Miſs Delamere in her favour, and
made her acknowledge that her brother's
pafſion had at leaſt perſonal charms for it's
excuſe.
A ſilent curtſey paſſed between the two
ladies and both being ſeated, Miſs Dela-
mere began...
“ I believe, Miſs Mowbray, you know
that my father, Lord Montreville, in
a conſequence of a letter received from
“ Mrs. Stafford, who is, he underſtands, a
-“ friend of your’s, arrived here this morn-
66 ing."
- The letter, madam, was written at my
particular requeſt; that my Lord did not
“ notice it ſooner, has, believe me, given
« me great concern."
“ I do fincerely believe it; and every
« body


THE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE. 149
“ body muſt applaud your conduct in this
« affair. My father was, by accident, pre-
“ vented receiving the letter for ſome
“ weeks. As foon as it reached him, we
« ſet out, and he has now ſent me to you,
“ my dear couſin (for be aſſured I am
“ delighted with the relationſhip) to
“ conſult with you on what we ought to
66 do."
Emmeline, confoled yet affected by this
conſiderate ſpeech, found herſelf relieved
by tears.
“ Though I am unable, madam,” ſaid
the, recovering herſelf, “ to adviſe, bę
" aſſured, I am ready to do whatever you.
“ and Lord Montreville ſhall dictate, to
“ put an end to the projects your brother
« ſo perſeveringly attempts. Ah! Miſs
" Delamere; my fituation is ſingularly
“ diſtreſſing. It demands all your pity; all
“ your father's protection!
« You have, you ſhall have both, my
66 dear Emmeline ! as well as our admira-
« tion for your noble and heroic conduct ;
4 and I beg you will not, by being thus
66 uneaſy,
H
3


150 - EMMELIN M
E,
« uneaſy, injure your health and depreſs
“ your ſpirits.”
This and many other conſoling ſpeeches,
delivered in the purſuaſive voice of friendly
ſympathy, almoſt reſtored Emmeline to her
uſual compoſure; and after being together
near an hour, Miſs Delamere took her leave,
charmed with her new acquaintance, and
convinced that ſhe would continue to act
with the moſt exact obedience to the wilhes
of Lord Montreville.
CHAPTER X.
T ORD Montreville, on hearing from
had his daughter what had paſſed between
her and Emmeline, was diſpoſed to hope,
that ſince ſhe was ſo willing to aſlift in ter-
minating for ever the views of Delamere,
they ſhould be able to prevail on him to
relinquiſh them.
While


THE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE. 151
:
While Miſs Delamere was with Emme-
line, his Lordihip had himſelf waited on
Mrs. Stafford, to whoin he thought himſelf
obliged.
He thanked her for the letter withi which
ſhe had favoured him; and ſaid, “ that
“ having heard of the great regard with
“ which the honoured Miſs Mowbray, he
“ waited on her to beg her advice in the
co preſent difficult circumſtance. Since Mr.
" Delamere has purſued her hither,” faid
his Lordſhip, “ the cannot reinain here;
66 but to find a ſituation that will be proper
“ for her, and concealed from him, I own
:“ appears ſo difficult, that I know not on
or what to determine.”
". My Lord," anſwered Mrs. Stafforci,
" I intended to have aſked your Lord-
“ Thip’s permiſſion to have been favourect:
os with Miſs Mowbray's company for ſome
6 months; and ſtill hope to be indulged
56 with it when I return home. But could
“. I go thither now, which I cannot, (iny
“ houſe not being in a condition to re-
“ ceive me,) it would be impoſſible to
« prevent Mr. Delamere's knowledge of
H4.
66. her


152. EMM E L I NE,
or her abode, if ſhe was with me. But
“ ſurely Mr. Delamere will leave this place
« with you, and will not oblige Miſs
« Mowbray to quit her home to avoid
« him.”
" Ah, madam !” anſwered Lord Mon-
treville, “ you do not yet know my ſon.
“ The impetuoſity of his temper, which
“ has never been reſtrained, it is now out
«6 of my power to check ; whatever he de-
termines on he will execute, and I have
“ too much reaſon to fear that oppoſition
“ only ſerves to ſtrengthen his reſolution.
“ While Emmeline is here, it will be im-
“ poſſible to prevail on him to quit the
place: and though her behaviour has
hitherto been irreproachable and meri-
“ torious, how can I flatter myſelf that fo
“ young a woman will continue ſteadily to
“ refuſe a marriage, which would not only
« relieve her at once from the difficulties
66 and dependance of her ſituation, but
“ raiſe her to an elevated rank and a
“ fplendid fortune.”
" To which,” ſaid Mrs. Stafford, “ ſhe
« would


THE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE. 153
“ would do honour. I do not, however,
“ preſume to offer my opinion to your
“ Lordſhip. You have, undoubtedly,
“ very ſtrong reaſons for your oppoſition
" to Mr. Delamere's wiſhes : and his
66 affluent fortune and future rank certainly
« give him a right to expect both the one
6 and the other in whoever he ſhall marry..
66 But a more lovely perſon, a better heart,
“ a more pure and elegant mind, he will
6s no where meet with. Miſs Mowbray
66 will reflect as much credit as ſhe can
66 borrow, on any family to which ſhe may
“ be allied.”
“1 acknowledge, madam, that Miſs
« Mowbray is a very amiable young wo-
6 man; but ſhe never can be the wife of
“ my fon; and you I am ſure are too con-
« ſiderate to give any encouragement to ſo
« impoffible an idea.”
After ſome farther converſation, Mrs.
Stafford promiſed to endeavour to recollect
a proper ſituation for Miſs Mowbray,
where the inight be ſecured from the im-
H 5 portunities
.


154 E M M E LI NE,
portunities of Delamere; and his Lordſhip
took his leave. : : Sri
By fix o'clock the next morning, Dela-
mere was at Mrs. Watkins's door; and no-
body being viſible but the maid ſervant, he
entered the parlour, and told her he wanted
to ſpeak with Miſs Mowbray; but would wait
until ſhe aroſe.
The maid told her miſtreſs, who imme-
diately deſcended ; and Delamere, who was
known to her as a young Lord who was in
love with Miſs Emmy, was courteouſly in-
vited to her own parlour, and ſhe offered to
go up with any meſſage he ſhould be pleaſed
to ſend. I
He begged ſhe would only ſay to Miſs
Mowbray that a gentleman deſired to ſpeak
to her on buſineſs of conſequence.
< But the good woman, who thought ſhe
could do more juſtice to her employer, told
Emmeline, who was dreſing herſelf, that
66 the handſome young lord as uſed to walk
“ every night with her and Madam Stafford
« was below, and wanted to ſpeak to her
directly.”..
.
At


THE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE. 155
1
C
mean
· At this information, Emmeline was ex-
tremely alarmed. She conſidered herſelf as
particularly bound by what had paſſed the
evening before between her and Auguſta
Delainere, to avoid her brother; and ſucli
an interview as he now demanded muſt
have an appearance to Lord Montreville of
which ſhe could not bear to think. She
deſired Mrs. Watkins, therefore, to let the
gentleman know that ſhe was not well, and
could not ſee any body.
66 Why, Lord, Miſs !” exclaimed the
officious landlady, “ what can you mean
6. now by that? What, go for to refuſe fee
“ ing ſuch an handſome young man, who
" is a Lord, and the like of that? I am ſure
66. it is ſo fooliſh, that I than't carry no ſuch
“ meſſage.”
“ Send Betty with it then,"anſwered Em-
meline coldly; “ let her inforin the gentle-
« man I cannot be ſeen.” . .
66 Well," ſaid Mrs. Watkins, as the
deſcended, “it is ſtrange nonſenſe to my
“ fancy; but ſoine folk's never knows what
66. they would be at.”
She then returned to the parlou", and
H 6
very


356
E M M E L IN E,
Was
very reluctantly delivered the anſwer to Mr.
Delamere; who aſked if Emineline was
really ill ?
“ I'll,” ſaid the complaiſant hoſteſs,
“ I ſee nothing that ails her : laſt night,
" indeed, ſhe was in a deſperate taking, and
" we had much ado to hinder her from
“ going into a fit; but to day I am ſure
" ſhe looks as if ſhe was as well as ever.”
Delamere aſked for a pen-and ink, with
which ſhe immediately furniſhed him; and
officiouſly offering to get him ſome break-
faſt, he accepted it to gain time. And
while it was preparing he fent up to Em-
meline the following note :
“I came hither to entreat only one
« quarter of an hour's converſation, which
“ you cruelly deny me. You determine
" then, Emmeline, to drive me to deſpair !
“ You may certainly ſtill refuſe to ſee
“ me; but you cannot oblige me to quit
“ this place, or to loſe ſight of your abode,
“ My father will, therefore, gain nothing
“ by his ill-judged journey hither.
< Buk


THE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE. 157
6 But if you will allow me the interview
6. I ſolicit, and after it ſtill continue to de-
« fire my abſence, I will give you my pro-
" miſe to go from hence to-morrow.
F. DELAMERE.
The maid was ſent up with this billet to
Emmeline; who, after a moment's confi.
deration, determined to ſend it to Miſs
Delamere, and to tell her, in an envellope,
how ſhe was ſituated.
Having encloſed it therefore, and deſired
the maid to go with it without ſaying whi-
ther ſhe was going, ſhe bid her, as ſhe went
through the houſe, deliver to Mr. Dela.
mere another note, which was as follows:
« Sir,
“ Your requeſt of an interview, I think
“ myſelf obliged on every account to re-
“ fuſe. I am extremely ſorry you deter--
“ mine to perſevere in offering me pro-
“ poſals, to which, though they do me a
“ very high and undeſerved honour, I never
u ought


158 ' E M M' E L IN E, .
u ought to liſten; and excuſe me if I add,
4. that I never will.
“ EMMELINE MOWBRAY.”
Emmeline had not before ſo pofitively
expreſſed her rejection of Delamere's ad--
dreſſes. The peremptory ſtile, therefore,
of this billet, added to his extreine vexation
at being 'overtaken by his father, and the
little hope that ſeemed to remain for him
any way, operated altogether on his raſh
and painionate dilpolitlun, and feenied to
affect him with a temporary fitnzy. He
ſtamped about the room, daihed his head
againſt the wainſcot, and ſeizing Mrs. Wat-
kins by the armn, ſwore, with the moſt
frightful vehemence, that he would ſee
Miſs Mowbray though death were in the
way.
The woman concluding he was mad,
ſcreamed out to her huſband, who deſcend-
ing from his chamber in aſtoniſhment, put
himſelf between his wife and the ſtranger,
demanding his buſineſs?
" Alack's


THE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE. 150
166 Alack-a-day !” cried Mrs. Watkins,
'tis the young Lord. He is gone mad,
“ to be ſure, for the love of Miſs, up
6 ſtairs."
Emmeline, who in ſo ſmall a houſe could
not avoid hearing all that paſſed, now
thought it better to go down; for ſhe knew
enough of Delamere to fear that the effects
of his fit of paſſion might be very ſerious ;
and was certain that nothing could be more
improper than ſo much confuſion.
She therefore deſcended the ſtairs, with
trembling feet, and entered Mrs. Wat-
kins parlour ; where ſhe ſaw Delamere, his
eyes flaſhing fire and his hands clenched,
ſtorming round the room, while Watkins
followed hin, and bowing in his awkward
way, “ begged his Honour would only
$ pleaſe to be, pacified.”.
There was ſomething ſo terrifying in the
wild looks of the young man, that Emme-
line having only half opened the door, re-
treated again from it, and was haſtening
away. But Delamere had ſeen her; and
darting out after her, caught her before ſhe
could


160
E;
E
N
M
I
M
L
E
could eſcape out of the paſſage, and ſhe
was compelled to return into the room with
him; where, on condition of his being
more compoſed, ſhe agreed to fit down and
liſten to him.
Watkins and his wife having left the
room, Delamere again renewed his ſolicita-
tions for a Scottiſh expedition. « Howa
u ever averſe,” ſaid he, “my father and
64 mother may at preſent be to our marriage,
" I know they will be immediately recon.
«. ciled when it is irrevocable. But if you
6 continue to harden your heart againſt
“ me, of what advantage will' it be to:
“ them? Their ambition will ſtill fuffer ;,
«. for I here ſwear by all that is ſacred, that.
" then I never will marry at all; and
“ by my dying without pofterity, their.
“ views will for ever be abortive and
" their projects diſappointed.”
To this, and every other argument Dela
mere uſed, Emmeline anfwered, “ that
“ having determined never to accept of his
" hand, fituated as the at preſent was,
“'nothing thould induce ber to break
“ through


THE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE. 161
1
5 through a determination which alone
could ſecure her the approbation of her
“ own heart.”
He then aſked her, " whether, if the
" conſent of Lord and Lady Montreville
66 could be obtained, the would continue
«s averſe to him?"
This queſtion ſhe evaded, by ſaying,
“ that it was to no purpoſe to conſider how
“ The ſhould act in an event ſo unlikely to
“ happen.”
He then again exerted all the elo-
quence which love rather than reaſon lent
him. But Emmeline combated his argu-
ments with thoſe of rectitude and honour,
by which ſhe was reſolutely bent to abide.
This ſteadineſs, originating from princi-
ples he could not controvert ordeny, ſeemed,
while it ſhewed him all its hopeleſſneſs, to
give new force to his paſſion. He became
again almoſt frantic, and was anew acting
the part of a madman, when Mrs. Stafford
and Miſs Delamere entered the houſe, and
enquiring for Miſs Mowbray, were ſhewn
into the room were ſhe was with Delamere ;
who,


162 EMMELIN E,
:
who, almoſt exhauſted by the violence of
thoſe emotions he had ſo boundleſsiy in-
dulged, had now thrown himſelf into a
chair, with his head leaning againſt the
wainſcot; his hair was dilhevelled, his eyes
fwoln, and his countenance expreſſed fo
much paſſionate forrow, that Auguſta
Delamere, extremely ſhocked, feared to
ſpeak to him: while Emmeline, on the
oppoſite ſide of the room, ſat with her
handkerchief to her eyes; and as ſoon as
The ſaw Mrs. Stafford, the threw herſelf
into her arms and fobbed aloud.
Delamere looked at Mrs. Stafford and
his ſiſter, but ſpoke to neither; till Auguſta
approaching him, would have taken his
hand; but he turned from her.
" Oh, Frederic !” cried ſhe, “ I beſeech
you to conſider the conſequence of all this.".
.“ I conſider nothing!” ſaid he, ſtarting:
up and going to the window.
His ſiſter followed him.
“Go, go,” ſaid he, turning angrily
from her — "Go, leave me, leave me !
« aſſiſt Lord Montreville to deſtroy his only
só fon!


THE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE. 163
“ fon! go, and be a party in the cruel policy
“ that will make you and Fanny heireſſes!”
The poor girl, who really loved her
brother better than any thing on earth,
was quite overwhelmed by this ſpeech ; and
her tears now flowed as faſt as thoſe of
Emmeline, who contrived to weep on the
boſom of Mrs. Stafford.
Delamere looked at them both with a
ſtern and angry countenance; then ſuddenly
catching his ſiſter by the hand, which he
eagerly graſped, he ſaid, in a low but re-
ſolute voice,“ tears, Auguſta, are of no
“ uſe. Do not lament me, but try to help
" me. I am now going out for the whole
"day : for I will not ſee my father only
" to repeat to him what I have already
" ſaid. Before I return, ſee what you can
“ do towards perſuading him to conſent to
6 my marriage with Miſs Mowbray ; for
" be aſſured that if he does not, the next
“ meeting, in which I expect his anſwer,
( will be the laſt we ſhall have.”
He then ſnatched up his hat, and diſ-
engaging himſelf from his ſiſter, who at-
tempted
Can


164 :
E M M E L I NE,
tempted to detain him, he went haſtily out
of the houſe; leaving Mrs. Stafford, Miſs
Mowbray, and his ſiſter, under great un-
eaſineſs and alarm.
They thought it neceſſary immediately
to inform Lord Montreville of the whole
converſation, and Miſs Delamere diſpatched
a note to Fitz-Edward, deſiring him to
attend to the motions of his friend.
Fitz-Edward was at breakfaſt with Lord
Montreville; who took the firſt opportunity
of their being alone, to reproach him with
ſome ſeverity for what he had done.
The Colonel heard him with great ſerenity;
and then began to juſtify himſelf, by
aſſuring his Lordſhip that he had accom-
panied Delamere only in hopes of being
able to detach him from his purſuit, and
becauſe he thought it preferable to his be-
ing left wholly to himſelf. He declared that
he meant to have given Lord Montreville
information, if there had appeared the
leaſt probability of Delamere's marriage ;
but that being perfectly convinced, from
the character of Emineline, that there was
nothing


THE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE, 165
nothing to apprehend, he had every day
hoped his friend would have quitted a pro-
ject in which there ſeemed not the leaſt
likelihood of ſucceſs, and would have re-
turned to his family cured of his paſſion.
Though this was not all ſtrictly true, Fitz-
Edward poſſeſſed a ſort of plauſible and
inſinuating eloquence, which hardly ever
failed of removing every impreſſion, how-
ever ſtrong, againſt him ; and Lord Mon-
treville was converſing with him with his
uſual confidence and friendſhip, when the
note from Miſs Delamere was brought in.
His Lordſhip, ever anxious for his ſon,
gazed eagerly at it, while Fitz-Edward read
it, and trembling, aſked from whom it
came ?
Fitz-Edward put it into his hand; and
having ran it over in breathleſs terror, his 's
Lordſhip ran out, directing all his ſervants
to go ſeveral ways in ſearch of Delamere ;.
while he entreated Fitz-Edward to run to
whatever place he was likely to be in; and
went himſelf to Mrs. Stafford's lodging, who
was by this time returned home.
* What


. 166. EMM E 1 IN E,.
CIC
What he heard from her of the ſcene of
the inorning, contributed to encreaſe his
alarm. The image of his ſon in all the
wildneſs of ungovernable paſſion, ſhook
his nerves ſo much, that he ſeemed ready
to faint, yet unable to move to enquire
where he was. As he could attend to no-
thing elſe, Mrs. Stafford told him how
anxiouſly ſhe had thought of a ſituation for
Einmeline, and that ſhe believed ſhe had
at length found one that would do.. “If,”
ſaid ſhe « your Lordſhip cannot prevail on
s him to quit Swanſea, which I think you
« had better attempt, though from the
" ſcene of this morning I own I deſpair of
“ it more than ever.
“ The perſon with whom I hope to be
" able to place Miſs Mowbray is Mrs.
56 Aſhwood, the ſiſter of Mr. Stafford. She
" has been two years a widow, with three
« children, and reſides at 'a village near
66 London. She has a very good fortune;
“ and would be happy to have with
“ her ſuch a companion as Miſs Mow:
« bray, 'till I am ſo fortunate as to
66 be


THE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE, 167
гетог
« be enabled to take her myſelf. As her
66 connections and acquaintance lie in a
“ different ſet of people, and in a remote
“ part of the country from thoſe of Mr.
" Delamere, it is improbable, that with the
os precaution we ſhall take, he will ever
“ diſcover her reſidence.”
Lord Montreville expreſſed his ſenſe of
Mrs. Stafford's kindneſsin the warmeſt terms.
He aſſured her that he ſhould never forget
the friendly part ſhe had taken, and that
if ever it was in his power to ſhew his gra.
titude by being ſo happy as to have the abi-
lity to ſerve her, or her family, he ſhould
conlider it as the moſt fortunate event of
his life.
Mrs. Stafford heard this as matter of
courſe; and would have felt great com-
paſſion for Lord Montreville, whoſe ſtate
of mind was truly deplorable, but ſhe re-
fiected that he had really been the author
of his own miſery. Firſt, by bringing up
his fon in a manner that had given ſuch
boundleſs ſcope to his paſſions; and now,
by refuſing to gratify himn in marrying a
young
11-
III


168 E M M E LINE,
On
young woman, wh
I-
ng woman, who was, in the eye of un-
prejudiced reaſon, ſo perfectly unexception-
able. She adviſed him to try once more
to prevail on his ſon to leave Swanſea with
him; and he left her to enquire whether
Fitz-Edward had yet found Delamere,
whoſe abſence gave him the moſt cruel un-
eaſineſs.
Fitz-Edward, after a long ſearch, had
overtaken Delamere on an unfrequented
common, about a mile from the town,
where he was walking with a quick pace ;
and ſeeing Fitz-Edward, endeavoured to
eſcape him. But when he found he could
not avoid him, he turned fiercely towards
him " Why do you follow me, Sir? Is it
« not enough that you have broken through
« the ties of honour and friendſhip in be-
- traying me to my father? Muſt you ſtill
" perſecute me with your inſidious friend-
« fhip ?”
Fitz-Edward heard him with great cool-
neſs; and without much difficulty con-
vinced him that Miſs Mowbray herſelf had
me
given


THE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE. 169
--
-
given the information to Lord Níontreville
by means of Mrs. Stafford.
This conviction, while it added to the
pain and mortification of Delamere, greatly
reconciled him to Fitz-Edward, whom he
had before ſuſpected; and after a long con-
verſation, which Fitz-Edward ſo managed
as to regain ſome degree of power over the
paſſions of his impetuous friend, he per-
ſuaded him to go and dine with Lord Mon.
treville; having firſt undertaken for his
Lordſhip that nothing ſhould be ſaid on the
ſubject which occupied the thoughts of the
father; on which condition only the fon
conſented to meet him.
VOL. I.
Vol. I.
1
CHAP.


170
E M M E LI NE,
CHAPTER XI.
TOTwithſtanding the ſteadineſs Em-
meline had hitherto thewn in reject-
ing the clandeſtine addreſſes of Delamere,
he ſtill hoped they would ſucceed. A
degree of vanity, pardonable in a young man
poſſeſſing ſo many advantages of perſon and
fortune, made him truft to thoſe advantages,
and to his unwearied aſſiduity, to conquer
her reluctance. He determined therefore to
perſevere, and did not imagine it was likely
hecould again loſe ſight of her by a ſtratagem
againſt which he was now on his guard.
As he fancied Lord Montreville and his
ſiſter deſigned to carry her with them when
they went, he kept a conſtant eye on their
motions, and ſet his own ſervant, and Fitz-
Edward's valet, to watch the ſervants of
Lord Montreville.
Fitz-Edward, who had been ſo near loſing
the confidence of both the father and ſon,
found it expedient to obſerve a neutrality,
which


THE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE, 171
which it required all his addreſs to ſupport ;
being conſtarıtly appealed to by them
both.
Lord Montreville, he adviſed to adhere
to moderate meaſures and gentle perſuaſions,
and to truſt to Emmeline's own ſtrength of
mind and good conduct ; while to Dela-
mere, he recommended diſſimulation ; and
adviſed him to quit Swanſea at preſent,
which would prevent Emuneline's being re-
moved from thence, and leave it in his
power at any time to ſee her again.
Lord Montreville, on cooler reflection,
was by no means fatisfied with Fitz-
Edward. To encourage his ſon's project,
and even to accompany him in it, in the
vain hope of detaching him from Emme-
line before an irrevocable engagement
could be formed, ſeemed to be at leaſt very
blameable; and if he had ſeen the con-
nection likely to take place on a leſs honour-
able footing, his conduct was more im-
moral, if not ſo impolitic.
Either way, Lord Montreville felt it ſo
diſpleaſing, that he deterinined not to truſt
I 2
Fitz-


172 EMMELINE,
Fitz-Edward in what he now mcditated,
which was, to remove Emineline from
Swanſea before he and his daughter quitted
it, and to place her with the ſiſter of Mr.
Stafford; who being now arrived, had en.
gaged to obtain his ſiſter's concurrence with
their plan.
A female council therefore was held on
the means of Emmeline's removal ; and it
was ſettled that a poſt-chaiſe ſhould, on
the night fixed, be in waiting at the diſtance
of half a mile from the town; where Emme-
line ſhould meet it; and that a ſervant of
Mr. Stafford ſhould accompany her to
London, who was from thence to return to ·
his maſter's houſe in Dorſetſhire.
This arrangement being made three days
after the arrival of Lord Montreville, and
his faithful old valet being employed to
procure the chaiſe, the hour arrived when
poor Emmeline was again to abandon her
little home, where ſhe had pafled many
tranquil and ſome delightful days, and
where ſhe was to bid adieu to her two be-
loved


THE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE. 173
ССС
US
loved friends, uncertain when ſhe ſhould
ſee them again.
Her friendſhip for Mrs. Stafford was en-
livened by the warmeſt gratitude.' To her
fhe owed the acquiſition of much uſeful
knowledge, as well as inſtruction in thoſe
elegant accompliſhments which ſhe was
naturally ſo much attached to, but which
ſhe had no former opportunity of acquir-
ing. The charms of her converſation, the
purity of her heart, and the ſoftneſs of her
temper, made her altogether a character
which could not be known without being
beloved ; and Emmeline, whoſe heart was
open to all the enchanting impreſſions of
early friendship, loved her with the trueſt
affection. The little ſhe had ſeen of Au-
gulta Delamere, had given that young lady
the ſecond place in her heart. They were
the ſame age, within a few weeks. Auguſta
Delamere extremely reſembled the Mow-
bray family; and there was in figure and
voice a very ſtriking ſimilitude between her
and Emmeline Mowbray.
Lady Montreville, paſſionately attached
I 3
to


174
E M M E L IN E,
to her ſon, as the heir and repreſentative
of her family, and partial to her eldeſt
daughterfor her great reſemblance to herſelf,
ſeemed on them to have exhauſted all her
maternal tenderneſs; and to have felt for Au-
guſta but a very inferior ſhare of affection,
Of the haughty and ſupercilious manners
which made Lady Montreville feared and
diſliked, ſhe had communicated no portion
to her younger daughter; and if ſhe had ac-
quired ſomething of the family pride, her
good ſenſe, and the ſweetneſs of her teinper,
had ſo much corrected it, that it was by no
means diſpleaſing.
Elegantly formed as ſhe was, and with
a face, which though leſs fair than Emme-
line's, was almoſt as intereſting, her mother
had yet always expreſſed a diſapprobation
of her perlon; and the had therefore her-
ſelf conceived an indifferent opinion of it;
and being taught to conſider herſelf inferior
in every thing to her elder ſiſter, ſhe never
fancied ſhe was ſuperior to others; nor,
though highly accompliſhed, and parti-
cularly


THE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE. 175
CV
ver
cularly ſkilled in muſic, did ſhe ever ob-
trude her acquiſitions on her friends, or
anxiouſly ſeek opportunities of diſplaying
them.
Her heart was benevolent and tender;
and her affection for her brother, the firſt
of its paſſions. She could never diſcover
that he had a fault; and the error in
regard to Emmeline, which his father ſo
much dreaded, appeared to his ſiſter a
virtue.
She was deeply read in novels ; (almoſt
the only reading that young women of
faſhion are taught to engage in); and having
from them acquired many of her ideas, me
imagined that Delamere and Emmeline were
born for each other; though ſhe dared
not appear to encourage hopes fo totally
oppoſite to thoſe of her family, ſhe found,
after ſhe had once ſeen and converſed with
Emmeline, that ſhe never could warınly
oppoſe an union which ſhe was convinced
would make her brother happy.
She fancied that Emmeline could not be
inſenſible to Delamere's love; ſhe even be-
I 4
lieved


176 EM MEL I NE,
tieved ſhe ſaw many ſymptoms of regard
for him in her manner, and that ſhe
made the moſt heroic ſacrifice of her love
to her duty, when ſhe reſigned him. A
facrifice which heightened, almoſt to en-
thufiaſm, the pity and eſteem felt for her by
Auguſta Delamere.
Though they had known each other only
a few days, a ſiſterly affection had taken
place between thein,
But from theſe two friends, fo tenderly
and juſtly beloved, Emmeline was now to
depart, and to be thrown among ſtrangers,
where it was improbable ſhe would meet
with any who would ſupply the loſs of them.
Her duty however demanded this painful
effort, and the determined to execute it with
courage and reſolution.
Delamere was ſo perpetually about his
father, that it was judged improper for him
to hold any private conference with Emmea ,
line, leaſt fomething ſhould be ſuſpected.
His Lordſhip therefore ſent her by Mrs.
Stafford a bank note of fifty pounds; with
his thanks for the propriety of her conduct,
and


THE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE. 177
and an aſſurance, that while ſhe continued
to merit his protection, he ſhould conſider
her as his daughter, and take care to fup-
ply her with money, and every thing elſe
ſhe might wiſh for. He deſired ſhe would
not write ; leaſt her hand ſhould be known,
and her abode traced; but ſaid, that in a
few weeks he would ſee her himſelf, and.
wiſhed her all poſſible health and happi-
neſs.
On the night of her departure, inſtead of
retiring to reſt at the uſual hour, Emmeline
dreſſed herſelf in a travelling dreſs, and
paſſed ſome melancholy hours waiting for
the ſignal of her departure.
At half paſt two in the morning, every
thing being profoundly quiet, ſhe faw, from
her window, her two friends, who had de.
clared they would not leave her 'till they
faw her in the chaiſe.
She took with her only a ſmall parcel of
· linen, Mrs. Stafford having engaged to
forward the reſt to an addreſs agreed upon;
and ſoftly deſcending the ſtairs for fear of
alarming Mrs. Watkins, ſhe opened the
I 5.
door,


178 EMMELINE,
door, and each of her friends taking an
arm, they paſſed over two fields, into a
lane where the chaiſe was waiting with the -
ſervant who was to go with her.
The tears had ſtreamed from her eyes
during the little walk, and ſhe was unable
to ſpeak. The ſervant now opened the chaiſe
door and let down the ſtep; and Emmeline
kifling the hand of Mrs. Stafford, and then
that of Auguſta Delamere, went haſtily into
it-" God bleſs you both,” ſaid ſhe, in
a faint and inarticulate voice. The ſer-
vant ſhut the door, mounted a poſt horſe,
and the chaiſe was in an inſtant out of ſight;
while the two ladies, who at any other time
would have been alarmed at being obliged
to take ſo late a walk, thought not of them-
ſelves; but full of concern for poor Emme-
line, walked back in tears; and Miſs Dela-
inere, who had agreed to reinain the reſt of
that night at the lodgings of Mrs. Stafford,
retired not to reſt, but to weep for the de-
parture of her friend and the diſtreſs of her
brother.
• Emmeline, thus ſeparated from every body
the


180 EMMELINE,
unhappy at quitting the dear Auguſta than
at the uncertainty ſhe was in whether ſhe
fhould ever again ſee Delamere.
The parting was extremely embittered by
the prohibition ſhe had received in regard
to writing to her. But painful as it was,
ſhe determined to forbear; and ſteadily to
adhere to that line of duty, however diffi-
cult to practice, that alone could ſecure the
peace of her mind, by the acquittal of her
conſcience; which, as ſhe had learned from
Mrs. Stafford, as well as from her own ex-
perience, ſhort as it was, could alone fup-
port her in every trial to which ſhe might
be expoſed.
She reflected on her preſent ſituation,
compared to what it would have been had
The been prevailed upon to become the
wife of Delamere againſt the conſent of his
family.
Splendid as his fortune was, and high a.
his rank would raiſe her above her preſent
lot of life, ſhe thought that neither would
reconcile her to the painful circumſtance of
carrying uncaſineſs and contention into his
family;
са


THE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE. 18r
family; of being thrown froin them with
contempt, as the diſgrace of their rank and
the ruin of their hopes; and of living in per-
petual apprehenſion leaſt the ſubſiding fond-
neſs of her huſband ſhould render her the
object of his repentance and regret.
The regard ſhe was ſenſible of for Dela:
mere did not make her blind to his faults ;
and ſhe ſaw, with pain, that the ungovern-
able violence of his temper frequently ob-
ſcured all his good qualities, and gave his
character an appearance of ferocity, which
offered no very flattering proſpect to who
ſoever ſhould be his wife.
By thus reaſoning with herſelf, ſhe ſoon
became more calm, and more reconciled
to that deſtiny which ſeemed not to deſign
her for Delamere. .
• She met with no remarkable occurrence
in her journey; and on the evening of the
third day arrived in town; where the ſervant
who attended her was ordered to diſmiſs the
chaiſe, and to procure her an hackney
coach, in which ſhe proceeded to the houſe
of Mrs. Aſhwoodi
This


182 E M M E LINE,
IS
This reſidence, ſituated in a populous
village three miles from London, bore the
appearance of wealth and proſperity. The
iron gate, which gave entrance into a large
court, was opened by a ſervant in a laced
livery, to whom Emmeline delivered the
letter ſhe had brought from Mrs. Stafford,
and after a moment's waiting the lady her-
ſelf came out to receive her.
Emmeline, by the fplendour of her dreſs,
concluded ſhe had left a large company :
but being uſhered into a parlour, found the
had been drinking tea alone; of which, or
of any other refreſhment, Miſs Mowbray
was deſired to partake.
· Her reception of her viſitor was perfectly
cordial ; and Emmeline foon recovering her
eaſy and compoſed manner, Mrs. Aſhwood
ſeemed very much pleaſed with her gueſt;
for there was in her countenance a paſſport
to all hearts.
Mrs. Alwood, tho' not in the bloom
of life, and tho' ſhe never had been
handſome, was ſo unconſcious of her per-
fonal diſadvantages, that ſhe imagined her-
ſelf


THE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE. 183
20
ſelf the object of admiration of one ſex and
of the imitation of the other. With the
moſt perfect reliance on the graces of a
figure which never ſtruck any other perſon
as being at all remarkable, the dreſſed with
an exuberance of expence; and kept all the
company her neighbourhood afforded.
Where her ruling paſſions, (the love of
admiration and exceſſive vanity) did not
interfere, ſhe was ſometimes generous and
ſometimes friendly. But her ideas of her
own perfections, both of perſon and mind,
far exceeding the truth, ſhe had often the
mortification to find that others by no
means thought of them as ſhe did; and
then her good humour was far from in-
vincible.
Though Emmeline foon found her con-
verſation very inferior to what he had of
late been accuſtomed to, ſhe thought her-
felf fortunate in having found an aſylum,
the miſtreſs of which ſeemed deſirous of
making it agrecable; and to which ſhe was
introduced by the kindneſs of her beloved
Mrs. Stafford.
But


184
Eg,
€
I N
M
L
M
E
But while ſerenity was returning to the
boſomn of Emmeline, that of poor Delamere.
Was torn with the cruelleſt tempeſt.
The inorning after Emmeline's departure,
Delamere, who expected no ſuch thing,
aroſe at his uſual hour and rode out alone,
as he had frequently done. As he paſſed
her window, he looked up to it, and ſeeing
it open, concluded ſhe was in her room.
- On his return, his father met him, and
aſked him to breakfaſt; but he deſigned to
attend the tea-table of Mrs. Stafford, where
he thought he ſhould meet Emmeline, and
therefore excuſed himſelf; and Lord Mon-
treville, who wiſhed the diſcovery to be de-
layed to as laté an hour of the day as poſſi-
ble, let him go thither, where he break-
falted'; aud then propoſed a walk to Mrs.
Stafford, which he hoped would include a
viſit to Emmeline, or at leaſt that Mrs.
Stafford would not walk without her.
She excuſed herſelf, however, on pre-
tence of having letters to write ; and Dela-
mere went in ſearch of Fitz-Edward, whom
he could not find.


THE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE. 185
It was now noon, and he grew impatient
at not having had even a glimpſe of Em-
meline the whole morning, when he met
Fitz-Edward's man, and aſked him haſtily
where his maſter was?
· The man heſitated, and looked as if he
had a ſecret which he contained with ſome
uneaſineſs. « Sir,” ſaid he, “ have you
“ ſeen Miſs Mowbray to-day?"
66 No-why do you aſk ?”
“ Becauſe, Sir,” faid the fellow, “I
" ſhrewdly ſuſpect that ſhe went away from
« here laſt night. I can't tell your
« Honour why I thinks ſo; but you may
66 foon know the truth on't.”
The ardent imagination of Delamere in-
ftantly caught fire. He took it for granted
that Fitz-Edward had carried her off: and
without ſtaying to reflect a moment, he flew
to the inn where his horſes were, and or-
dered them to be ſaddled ; then ruſhing into
the room where his father and ſiſter were fit-
ting together, he exclaimed --" ſhe is gone,
“ Sir - Emmeline is gone !--but I will
66 foon


186
E M M E L I NE,
“ foon overtake her; and the infamous
“ villain who has torn her from me!
Lord Montreville ſcorned to diſſimulate.
He anſwered, “ I know ſhe is gone, and
~ it was by my directions ſhe went. You
“ cannot overtake her; nor is it probable
“ you will ever ſee her again. Endeavour
“ therefore to recollect yourſelf, and do
« not forget what you owe to your family
“ and yourſelf.”
Delamere attended but little to this re-
monſtrance; but ſtill prepoſſeſſed with the
idea of Fitz-Edward's being gone with her,
he ſwore perpetual vengeance againſt him,
and that he would purſue him through the
world.
With this reſolution on his lips, and fury
in his eyes, he quitted his father's apart-
ment, and at the door met Fitz-Edward
himſelf, coining to enquire after him.
· He was fomewhat aſhamed of the haſty
concluſion he had inade, and was therefore
more diſpoſed to hear what Fitz-Edward
had to ſay, who preſently convinced him
that


THE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE. 187
that he was entirely ignorant of the flight
of Emmeline.
Delamere now infifted, that as a proof of
his friendſhip he would inſtantly ſet out
with himn in purſuit of her.
Fitz-Edward knew not what to do; but
however ſeemed to conſent; and ſaying he
would order his ſervant to get his horſe,
left him, and went to Lord Montreville,
to whom he repreſented the impracticability
of ſtopping Delamere.
His Lordſhip, almoſt certain that Em-
meline was out of the poſſibility of his over-
taking her, as ſhe had now been gone
thirteen hours, thought it better for Fitz,
Edward, if he could not prevent his de-
parture, to go with him : but he deſired
him to make as many artificial delays as
poſſible.
Delamere, in the mean time, had been
to Mrs. Stafford, and tried to force from
her the ſecret of Emmeline's route. But
ſhe was inexorable ; and proof againſt his
frenzy as well as his perſuaſion.
She held him, however, as long as ſhe
could,


188 EMM E LINE,
could, in diſcourſe. But when he found the
only tried to make him loſe time, he left
ber, in an agony of paſſion, and mounting
his horſe, while his trembling ſervants were
ordered to follow him on pain of inſtant
diſmiſſion, he rode out of the town without
ſeeing his father, leaving a meſſage for
Fitz-Edward that he had taken the London
road, and expected he would come after
himn inſtantly.
Lord Montreville intreated Fitz-Edward
to loſe not a moment; and bidding an
haíty adieu to his Lordſhip, he ordered his
horſes to the door of Mrs. Stafford, where
he took a formal leave of her and her
huſband, entreating permiſſion to renew
his acquaintance hereafter. Then getting
on horſeback, he made as much ſpeed as
poſſible after Delamere ; whoin with diffi-
€ulty he overtook ſome miles forward on
the London road.
This way Delainere had taken on conjec-
ture only; but after proceeding ſome time, he
had inet a waggoner, whom he queſtioned..
The man told him of a poft chaiſe he had
met.


THE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE. 189
enco
inet at four o'clock in the morning; and
encouraged by that to proceed, he ſoon
heard from others enough to make him be,
lieve he was right.
The horſes, however, at the end of forty
miles, were too much fatigued to keep pace
with Delamere's impatience. He was
obliged to wait three hours before poſt
horſes could be found for himſelf and Fitz-
Edward. His ſervants were obliged to re-
main yet longer; and the horſes which were
at length procured, were ſo lame and in-
adequate to the journey; that it was fix'
hours before they reached the next ſtage;
where the ſame difficulty occurred; and
Delamere, between the fatigue of his body
and anxiety of his mind, found himſelf
compelled to take ſome reſt. . .
The next day he ſtill traced Emmeline
from ſtage to ſtage, and imagined himſelf
very near her : but the miſerable horſe on
which he rode, being unable to execute his
wiſh as to ſpeed, and urged beyond his
ſtrength, fell with him in a ſtage about ſixty
miles from London ; by which accident he
received


19ο Ε Μ Μ Ε Ι Ι Ν Ε,
received a contuſion on his breaſt, and
was bruiſed ſo much that Fitz-Edward in.
ſiſted on his being blooded and put to bed;
and then went to the apothecary of the
village near which the accident happened,
and procuring a phial of laudanum, in-
fuſed it into the wine and water which De-
lamere drank, and by that artifice obtained
for him the repoſe he otherwiſe would not
have been prevailed on to take.
After having ſlept ſeveral hours, he de-
fired to purſue his journey in a poſt chaiſe;
but Fitz-Edward had taken care that
none ſhould be immediately to be had.
: By theſe delays only it was that Em-
meline reached London ſome hours before
him.
However, when he renewed his journey,
he ſtill continued to trace her from ſtage to
ſtage, till the laſt poſtillion who drove her
was found.
· He ſaid, that he was ordered to ſtop at
the firſt ſtand of coaches, into one of which
the Lady went, and, with the ſervant be-
hind,


THE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE. 191
hind, drove away ; but the lad neither knew
the number of the coach, or recollected the
coachman, or did he remember whither the
coach was ordered to go.
Delamere paſſed two days, queſtioning
all the coachmen on the ſtand; and in
conſequence of information pretended to
be given by ſome of them, he got into two
or three quarrels by going to houſes they
pointed out to him. And after offering and
giving rewards which only ſeemed to re-
double his difficulties, he appeared to be
farther than ever from any probability of
finding the fair fugitive he ſo anxiouſly
ſought.
Lord Montreville and his daughter ſtaid
only two days at Swanſea after his departure.
They travelled in very indifferent ſpirits to
London; where they found Delamere ill
at the lodgings of Fitz-Edward in Hill-
ftreet.
Lord Montreville found there was no.
thing alarming in his ſon's indiſpoſition;
but could not perſuade him to accompany
him to Lady Mary Orley's.
His
,


192 EM ME LINE,
His Lordſhip and Miſs Auguſta Dela-
mere ſet out therefore for that place; leaving
Delainere to the care of Fitz-Edward, who
promiſed not to quit him 'till he had agreed
either to go to the Norfolk eſtate, or to Mr.
Percival's.
Lord Montreville was tolerably ſatisfied
that he could not diſcover Emmeline; and
Delamere having for above a fortnight at-
tended at all public places without ſeeing
her, and having found every other effort to
meet her fruitleſs, reluctantly agreed to go
to his father's eſtate in Norfolk.
It was now alınoſt the end of Auguſt;
and Fitz-Edward, after ſeeing him part of
the way, took his leave of him, and again
went to attend his duty in the North of
Ireland.
CHAP


THE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE. 193
CHAPTER XII.
W H ILE Delamere, in the deepeſt
VV deſpondence, which he could nei-
ther conquer or conceal, made a vain effort
to divert his mind with thoſe amuſements
for which he no longer had any reliſh,
Emmeline, at her new reſidence, attracted
the attention of many of Mrs. Alhwood's
viſitors.
A widow, in poſſeſſion of an handſome
jointure, and her children amply provided
for, Mrs. Alhwood was believed to enter-
tain no averſion to a ſecond marriage: and
her houſe being ſo near London, was fre-
quented by a great number of ſingle men;
niany of whom came there becauſe it was
a pleaſant jaunt from the city, where moſt
of them reſided; and others, with hopes of
amending their fortunes by an alliance with
the Lady herſelf.
Theſe latter, however, were chiefly the
Vol, I,
K : younger


194
Ε Μ Μ Ε Σ Υ Ν Ε, .
van
CC
younger ſons of merchants; and tho'
pleaſed with their flattery and aſſiduity,
Mrs. Aſhwood, who had an almoſt equal
ſhare of vanity and ambition, had yet given
no very decided preference to any; for the
imagined her perſonal attractions, of which
ſhe had a very high idea, added to the ad-
vantages of a good income, good expecta-
tions, and opulent connections, entitled her
to marry into an higher line of life than
that in which her father had firſt engaged
her.
Her acquaintance, however, was yet very
limited among perſons of faſhion; and it
was not wholly without hopes of encreaſing
it, that ſhe had conſented to receive Miſs
Mowbray, whoſe relationſhip to Lord Mon-
treville would, ſhe imagined, be the means
of introducing her to his Lordſhip’s notice
and to that of his family.
Her civility and kindneſs to Emmeline
was unbounded for ſome time. And as
ſhe was not eaſily convinced of her own
want of beauty, ſhe never apprehended
that ſhe ran ſome riſk of becoming a foil,
inſtead


THE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE. 195
DV
inſtead of the firſt figure, as ſhe expected
generally to be.
The extreme ſimplicity of Emmeline's
appearance, who notwithſtanding the re-
monſtrances of Mrs. Aſhwood continued
to dreſs nearly as ſhe did in Wales, and
her perfect ignorance of faſhionable life and
faſhionable accompliſhments, gave her, in
the eyes of many of Mrs. Alhwood's viſi-
tors, the air of a dependant; and thoſe who
viſited with a view to the fortune of the
latter, carefully avoided every appearance
of preference to Emmeline, and kept her
friend in good humour with herſelf.
But there were, among thoſe who fre-
quented her houſe, fome men of buſineſs;
who being rather in middle life, and iin-
menſely rich, had no other views in going
thither than to paſs a few hours in the coun-
try, when their mercantile engagements
prevented their leaving London entirely ;
and who loved pleaſure better than any
thing but money.
With one or two of theſe, Mrs. Aſhwood
and her father had at different times en-
K 2
couraged


196 EMMELIN E,
couraged overtures of marriage. But they
knew and enjoyed the pleaſure their fortune
and ſingle ſtate afforded them too well, to
give thoſe indulgencies up for the advan-
rage of increaſing their incomes, unleſs the
object had poſſeſſed greater attractions than
fell to the ſhare of Mrs. Aſhwood; and her
father could not be prevailed upon to give
her, (at leaſt while he lived) a ſum of
money large enough to tempt their avarice.
Theſe overtures therefore had ended in
nothing more than an intercourſe of civi-
lity.
But Emmeline no fooner appeared, than
one of theſe gentlemen renewed his viſits
with more than his original aſſiduity.
The extreme beauty of her perſon, and
the naivete of her manners, gave her, to
him, the attractive charms of novelty ;
while the myſtery there ſeemed to be about
her, piqued his curioſity.
It was known that ſhe was related to a
poble family ; but Mrs. Aſhwood had been
ſo earneſtly entreated to conceal as much as
poſſible her real hiſtory, left Delamere ſhould
hear
en ren


THE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE. 197
hear of and diſcover her, that ſhe only told
it to a few friends, and it had 'not yet
reached the knowledge of Mr. Rochely,
who had become the attendant of Mrs.
Alhwood's tea-table from the firſt introduc-
tion of Emmeline.
Mr. Rochely was nearer fifty than forty-
His perſon, heavy and badly proportioned,
was not relieved by his countenance'; which
was dull and ill-formed. His voice, mono-
tonous and guttural, was fatiguing to the
ear; and the fingularity of his manners, as
well as the oddneſs of his figure, often ex-
cited a degree of ridicule, which the re-
fpect his riches demanded could not always
ftifle.
With a perſon ſo ill calculated to in-
{pire affection, he was very deſirous of being
a favourite with the ladies; and extremely
fenſible of their attractions. .
In the inferior ranks of life, his money
had procured him many conqueſts, tho' he
was by no means laviſh of it ; and much
of the early part of his time had been paſſed
in low amours, which did not however im-
pede
K
3.


198
E M M EL INI,
pede his progreſs to the great wealth he
poſſeſſed.
He had always intended to marry: but
as he required many qualifications in a wife
which are hardly ever united, he had heſi-
tated till he had long been looked upon as
an old batchelor..
He was determined to chuſe beauty, but
expected alſo fortune. He deſired to marry
a woman of family, yet feared the expen-
five turn of thoſe brought up in high life;
and had a great veneration for wit and ac-
compliſhments, but dreaded, leſt in mar-
rying a woman who poſſed them, he ſhould
be liable to be governed by ſuperior abili-
ties, or be deſpiſed for the mediocrity of
his own underſtanding.
With ſuch ideas, his relations ſaw him
perpetually purſuing ſome matrimonial pro-
ject; but ſo eaſily frightened from his pur-.
ſuit, that they relied on his ſucceſſion with
the moſt perfect confidence.
When firſt he beheld Emmeline, he was
charmed with her perſon; her converſation,
at once innocent and lively, impreſſed him
with


THE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE. 199
with the moſt favourable ideas of her heart
and underſtanding; and brought up at a
great diſtance from London, ſhe had ac. '
quired no taſte for expences, no rage for
thoſe amuſements and diffipations which
he ſo much apprehended in a wife.
When he caine to Mrs. Aſhwood's,
(which was almoſt every afternoon) Em-
ineline, who was generally at work, or
drawing in the dreſling-rooin, never dif-
compoſed herſelf; but fat quietly to what
ſhe was doing; liſtening with the moſt
patient complaiſance to the long and un-
intereſting ſtories with which he endeavoured
to entertain her; an attention which greatly
contributed to win the heart of Rochely;
and he was as much in love as ſo prudent a
man could be, before he ventured to aſk
himſelf what he intended? or what was the
family and what the fortune of the perſon
who now occupied moſt of his time and a
great portion of his thoughts?
Mrs. Alhwood, frequently engaged at
the neighbouring card-tables, from which
Emmeline almoſt always excuſed herſelf,
K4
often
man
TV


200
E M M E L I NE,
often left her and Mr. Rochely to drink tea
together; and when ſhe was at home, would
ſometimes make her party in another room,
where the ſubject of laughter with her own
admirers, was the growing paſſion of the
rich banker for the fair ſtranger.
Emmeline did not, when preſent, eſcape
ridicule on this ſubject : but as ſhe had not
the leaſt idea that a man ſo much older
than herſelf had any intention of offering
himſelf as an huſband, ſhe bore it with great
tranquillity, and continued to behave to Mr.
Rochely with the attentive civility dictated
by natural good breeding; while ſhe heard,
without any concern but on his account,
the perpetual mirth and loud burſts of
laughter which followed his compliments
and attentions to her.
If he was abſent a few days, the door of
Mrs. Alhwood was crouded with ſervants
and porters with game from Mr. Rochely,
And his aſſiduities became at every viſit
more marked.
As it was now late in the autumn, Mrs.
Alhwood was deſirous of ſhewing Miſs
Mowbray
nce


THE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE. 201
Mowbray ſome of thoſe public places fhe
had not yet ſeen; and Emmeline (not ap-
prehending there was any reafon to fear
meeting Mr. Delamere at a ſeaſon when
ſhe knew field ſports kept him altogether in
the country) made no difficulty to accom-
pany her.
· Mr. Rochely no ſooner heard a party to
the play propoled, than he deſired to join
it; and Mrs. Aſhwood, Miſs Galton, (an
intimate friend of her's), with Miſs Mow.'
bray, Mr. Hanbury, . (one of Mrs. Ath-
wood's admirers), and Mr. Rochely, met at
Drury-Lane Theatre; where Emmeline was
extremely well entertained.
When the play was over, the box was
filled with ſeveral of Mrs. Aſhwood's ac-
quaintance, who talked to her, while their.
eyes were fixed on her young friend; an
obfervation that did not greatly lighten up
her countenance.
The moſt conſpicuous among theſe was
a tall, thin, but extremely awkward figure,
which in a moſt faſhionable undreſs, and
with a glaſs held to his eye, ſtrided into
the box, and bowing with a ſtrange
K 5
geſture


202
È M M E LINE,
geſture to Mrs. Alhwood, exclaimed
« Oh! my dear Mrs. A!-here I am !
“ –returned from Spa! only laſt night!
“ and already at your feet.' So here
“ you are ; and not yet enchained by
" that villainous fellow Hymen? You
“ are a good ſoul, not to give yourſelf
“ away while I was at Spa. I was hor-
“ ridly afraid, my dear widow ! you would
• not have waited even to have given me
“ a wedding favour."
To this fpeech, as it required no an-
fwer, Mrs. Aſhwood gave very little; for
beſides that ſhe was not pleaſed with the
matter, the manner delighted her ſtill leſs.
The fpeaker had, during the whole of
it, leaned almoſt acroſs the perſon who
was next to him, to bring his glaſs nearly
cloſe to Emmeline's face.
Emmeline, extremely diſcompoſed, drew
back; and Mr. Rochely, who ſat near her,
putting away the glaſs ſoftly with his hand,
faid very calmly to the leaning beau,-
“ Sir! is there any occaſion to take an ac-
“ count of this lady's features ? ”
« Ah!


THE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE. 203
- Ah! my friend Rochely!” anſwered
he familiary, " what are you the ladies
os Ciciſbeo ? as we ſay in Italy. Here is
“ indeed beauty enough to draw you from
“ the contemplation of three per cent. con-
“ fols, India bonds, oinnium, ſcrip, and
“ douceurs. But prithee, my old friend, is
“ this young lady your ward ?”
“ My ward! no,” anſwered Rochely,
“ how came you to think ſhe was ? ”.
Mr. Elkerton, who fancied he had vaſtly
the advantage in point of wit, as well as of
figure, over his antagoniſt, now deſired to
know, or whether the lady was his niece ?
6 though if I had not recollected ” ſaid he
“ that you never was married, I ſhould
“ have taken her for your grandaughter."
This farcaſin had, on the features of
Rochely, all the effect the travelled man
expected. But while he was preparing an
anſwer, at which he was never very prompt,
the coach was announced to be ready, and
Emmeline, extremely weary of her ſituation,
and diſguſted even to impatience with her
new acquaintance, haſtily aroſe to go.
K 6
Elkerton


204 EM
E M M E LINE,
Elkerton offered to take her hand; which
ſhe drew from him without attempting to
conceal her diſike; and accepting the arm of
Rochely, followed Mrs. Aſhwood, while
Elkerton, determined not to loſe ſight of
her, ſeized the hand of Miſs-Galton, who
being neither young, handſome, or rich,
had been left to go out alone. They fol-
lowed the reſt of the party to the coach,
where Mrs. Aſhwood and Miſs Mowbray
were already ſeated, with Mr. Hanbury,
who, as he reſided with his mother in the
village where Mrs. Alhwood lived, was to
accompany them home.
The coach being full, feeined to pre-
clude all, poſſibility of Elkerton's admit-
tance. But he was not ſo eaſily put off :
and telling Mrs. Aſhwood he intended to
go home to ſup with her, he ſtepped imme-.
diately in, and ordered his ſervant, who
waited at the coach door with a flambeau,
to direct his vis-a-vis to follow.
Rochely, who meant to have wiſhed
them a good night after ſeeing them to their
carriage, was too much hurt by this happy
eſſay


THE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE. 205
eſſay of aſſurance not to reſolve to counter-
act its conſequences.
Elkerton, though not a very young man,
was near twenty years younger than Ro-
chely; beſides the income of his buſineſs (for
he was in trade) he had a large independent
fortune, of which he was extremely laviſh ;
his equipages were ſplendid; his houſe
moſt magnificently furniſhed ; and his
cloaths the moſt expenſive that could be
bought.
Rochely, whoſe ideas of elegance, man-
ners, or taſte, were not very refined, had
no notion that the abſurdity of Elkerton,
or his diſagreeable perſon, would prevent
his being a very formidable rival. He
therefore ſaw him with great pain accom-
pany Emmeline home, and though he had
formed no poſitive deſigns himſelf, he
could not bear to ſuppoſe that another
might form them with ſucceſs.
Directing therefore his chariot to follow
the coach, he was fet down at the door a
few ininutes after Mrs. Aſhwood and her
party ; where Emmeline, ſtill more diſ-
pleaſed


206 E MM EL INI,
pleaſed with Elkerton, and having been
teized by his impertinent admiration the
whole way, looked as if ſhe could have
burſt into tears. .
Mrs. Alhwood, in a very ill humour,
hardly attended to his flouriſhing ſpeeches
with common civility; he had therefore
recourſe to Miſs Galton, to whom he was.
giving the hiſtory of his travels, which
feemed to take up much of his thoughts.
Miſs Galton, who by long dependance.
and repeated difappointments had acquired
the qualifications neceſſary for a patient
hearer, acquieſced in ſmiling ſilence to all
his aſſertions; looked amazed in the right
place; and heard with great complacency,
his wonderful ſucceſs at cards, and the
favour he was in with women of the firſt
faſhion at Spa.
· The entrance of Mr. Rochely gave no
- interruption to his diſcourſe. He bowed
fightly to him without riſing, and then
went on, obſerving that he had now ſeen,
every part of Europe worth ſeeing, and
meant, at leaſt for ſome years, to remain
in


THE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE, 207
in England ; the ladies of which country
he preferred to every other, and therefore
intended taking a wife among thein. For-
tune was, he declared, to him no object; but
he was determined to marry the handſomeſt
woman he could meet with, for whom he
was now looking out.
As he faid this, he turned his eyes to-
wards Emmeline, who affecting not to
hear him, tho' he ſpoke in fo loud a tone
as to make it unavoidable, was talking in
a low voice to Mr. Rochely.
Rochely had placed hiinſelf clofe to her ;
and had thrown his arm over the back of
her chair; and leaning forward, attended
to her with an expreſſion in his countenance
of fomething between apprehenſion and
hope, that gave it the moſt groteſque look
imaginable.
- Mrs. Aſhwood, who had been entertained
apart by Mr. Hanbury, now hurried over
the ſupper; during which Elkerton, ſtill full
of himſelf, engroſſed almoſt all the converſa-
tion; gave a detail of the purchaſes he had
made abroad, and the trouble he had to
land
n over


208
Ex
E M
I N
M
E L
land them; interſperſed with bon mots of
French Marquiſes and German Barons, and
witty reinarks of an Engliſh Duke, with
whom he had croſſe i the water on his re-
turn. But whatever ſtory he told, himſelf
was ſtill forwardeſt in the picture; and his
project of marrying an handful wife was
again repeated; and he told the !á y how
charining a houſe he had bought in Kent,
and how he had furniſhed his library.
· Rochely, who lay in wait, to revenge
himſelf for all the mortifications he had ſuf-
fered from him during the evening, took
occaſion to ſay, in his grave, cold manner,
" to be ſure a man of your taſte and
««. erudition, Mr. Elkerton, cannot do
“ without a library; but for my part, I
" think you will find no books can ſay fo
“ much to the purpoſe as thoſe kept by
« your late father in Milk-ſtreet, Cheap-
« Gde.
Elkerton turned pale at this ſneer ; but
forcing a ſmile of contempt, anſwered,
“ You bankers have no ideas out of your
" compting-houſes; and rich as ye are;
i
“ will


THE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE, 209
“. will never be any thing but des bourgeois
" les plus groſieres ! For my part I ſee no.
“ reaſon why—why a man's being in
“ buſineſs, ſhould prevent his enjoying the
" elagancies and agréments of life, eſpecially
“ if he can afford it; as it is well known,
“ I believe, even to you, Sir, that I can.”.
“Oh! Sir,” replied Rochely, “ I know
“ your late father was reputed to have died
“ rich, and that no body has made a bet-
66 ter figure about town than you have ever
66 ſince.”
“ As to figure, Sir," returned the other,
“ it is true I like to have every thing about
66 me comme il faut. And tho' I don't
“ make fifty per cent. of money, as ſome
“ gentlemen do in your way of buſineſs,
" I aſſure you, Sir, I do nothing that I
o cannot very well afford.”
Mrs. Aſhwood, who thought it very likely
a quarrel inight enſue, here endeavoured to
put an end to ſuch very unpleaſant diſ-
courſe; and prevented Mr. Hanbury, who
equally hated them both, from trying to
irritate


THE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE, 211
Il
as
the ale-houſe, begged to fit down 'till they
came.
Mrs. Aſhwood had been the whole even-
ing particularly out of humour ; and being
no longer able to command it, anſwered
pceviſhly, “ that her houſe was much at
“ his ſervice, but that ſhe was really ſo
66 much fatigued ſhe muſt retire-how-
“ ever,” ſaid ſhe, “ Miſs Galton, you will
“ be ſo good as to ſtay with Mr. Elkerton-
“ good night to you, Sir!”
He was no ſooner alone with Miſs Gal-
ton, than he deſired her, after a ſpeech
(which he endeavoured to ſeaſon with as
much flattery as it would bear) to tell him
who Emmeline was?
.“ Upon my word, Sir,” anſwered ſhe,
..“ it is more than I know. Her name is
66 Mowbray; and ſhe is ſomehow cona.
6c nected with the family of Lord Mon
“ treville ; but what relation,” (ſneeringly
anſwered the) “ Í really cannot pretend
“ even to gueſs.”
" Arelation of Lord Montreville!” cried
Elkerton; “ why I knew his Lordſhip in-
“ timately


21%
E M M E L 1 NE,
,“ tiinately when I was abroad three or four
“ years ago. He was at Naples with his
” fon, his Lady, and two daughters; and
“ I was domeſticated, abſolutely domeſti-
“ cated, ainong them. But pray what rela-
~ tion to them can this Miſs Mowbray
66 be ?”
“ Probably,” ſaid Miſs Galton, “ as
“ you know his Lordſhip, you may know
" what connections and family he has. I
“ fuppoſe ſhe may be his couſin-or his
6 niece-or his "
Here ſhe heſitated and fmiled; and El-
kerton, whoſe carriage was now at the door,
and who had a clue which he thought
would procure him all the information he.
wanted, took leave of Miſs Galton; de-
firing her to tell Mrs. Aſhwood that he
fhould wait upon her again in a few days.
CHAP


• THE ORPT AN OF THE CASTLE. 213
CHAPTER XIII.
T ELAMERE continued in Norfolk
only a few weeks after his father and
the family came thither. During that time,
he appeared reſtleſs and diſlatisfied ; his
former vivacity was quite loſt; he ſhunned
ſociety; and paſſed almoſt all his time in
the fields, under pretence of hunting or
ſhooting, tho' the greateſt ſatisfaction thoſe
amuſements now afforded him was the op-
portunity they gave him of abſenting him.
ſelf from home. He ſeldom returned thi?
ther 'till fix or ſeven o'clock; dined alone
in his own apartment; and affected to be
too much fatigued to be able to meet the
party who aſſembled to cards in the ever-
ing.
· Lady Mary Otley and her daughter, a
widow Lady of ſmall fortune in the neigh-
bourhood, with Lord and Lady Montre-
ville and their eldeſt daughter, made up a
party


214 EMMELINE,
party without him. Auguſta Delamere had
been left in their way from the North, with
a relation of his Lordſhip’s who lived near
Scarborough, with whom ſhe was to remain
two months.
The party at Audley-Hall was ſoon en-
creaſed by Sir Richard Crofts and his eldeſt
ſon, who came every autumn on a viſit to
Lord Montreville, and who was his moſt
intimate friend.
Lord Montreville, during the ſhort time
he ſtudied at the Temple, became ac-
quainted with Sir Richard, then clerk to
an attorney in the city ; who, tho' there was
a great difference in their rank, had con-
trived to gain the regard and eſteem of his
Lordſhip (then Mr. Frederic Mowbray)
and was, when he came to his eſtate, en-
truſted with it's management; a truft which
he appeared to execute with ſuch diligence
and integrity, that he ſoon obtained the en-
tire confidence of his patron; and by poſ-
ſeſſing great ductility and great activity, he
was ſoon introduced into a higher line of
life, and ſaw himſelf the companion and
friend


THE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE. 215
-
-
---
-
--
-
-
friend of thoſe, to whom, at his ſetting out,
· he appeared only an humble retainer.
· Born in Scotland, he boaſted of his an-
ceſtry, tho' his immediate predeceſſors
were known to be indigent and ob-
ſcure: and tho' he had neither eminent
talents, nor any other education than what
he had acquired' at a free ſchool in his na-
tive town, he had, by dint of a very com-
mon underſtanding, ſteadily applied to the
purſuit of one point, and aſiſted by the
friendſhip of Lord Montreville, acquired not
only a conſiderable fortune, but a ſeat in
Parliament and a great deal of political
intereſt, together with the title of a Ba-
ronet. :
He had lefs underſtanding than cunning;
leſs honeſty than induſtry; and tho' he
knew how to talk warmly and plauſibly of
honour, juſtice, and integrity, he was gene-
rally contented only to talk of them, ſeldom
ſo imprudent as to practice them when he
could get place or profit by their facri.
fice.
He had that ſort of fagacity which
enabled


216
E M M E LINE
enabled him to enter into the characters
of thoſe with whom he converſed : he
knew how to humour their prejudices, and
lay in wait for their foibles to turn them to
his own advantage.
To bis diperiors, the cringing paraſite;
to thoſe whom he thought his inferiors,
proud, fupercilious, and inſulting; and his
heart hardening as his proſperity encreaſed,
he threw off, as much as he could, every
connection that reminded him of the tranf-
actions of his early life, and affected to live
only among the great, whoſe luxuries he
could now reach, and whoſe manners he
tried to imitate.
He had two ſons by an early marriage
with a woman of ſmall fortune, who was for-
tunately dead; for had ſhe lived, ſhe would
probably have been concealed, left the
Ihould diſgrace him.
To his fons, however, he had given that
fort of education which was likely to fit
them for places under governinent; and he
had long ſecretly intended the eldeſt for one
of the Miſs Delameres.
Delamere


218
IMME LINE,
mand over her paſſions, harraſſed him, when.'
ever they met, with ſarcaſms and reflections;
while Lady Mary, ſcorning to talk to a
young man, who was blind to the merits of
her daughter, talked at him whenever the
found an opportunity ; and exclaimed
againſt the diſobedience, diſlipation, and
ill-breeding of modern young men : while
Miſs Otley affected a pretty diſdain ; and
flirted violently with Mr. Crofts, as if to
ſhew him that ſhe was totally indifferent to
his neglect.
The temper of Delamere was eager and
irritable ; and he bore the unpleaſantnefs of
this ſociety, whenever he was forced to mix
in it, with a ſort of impatient contempt.
But as he hourly found it more irkſoine,
and the idea of Emmeline preſs every day
more intenſely on his heart, he determined,
at the end of the third week, to go to
London.
Not chuſing to have any altercation with
either Lord or Lady Montreville, he one
evening ordered his man to have his horſes
ready at five o'clock the next day, ſaying
be


THE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE. 219
22
he was to ineet the fox-hounds at ſome
diſtance from home; and having written a
letter to his Lordſhip, in which he told him
he was going to London for a fortnight,
(which letter he left on the table in his
dreſſing-room) he mounted his horſe, and
was ſoon in town'; but inſtead of going to
the houſe of his father in Berkley-ſquare,
he took lodgings in Pall-Mall.
Every night he frequented thoſe public
places which were yet open, in hopes of
finding Emmeline; and his ſervant wax
conſtantly employed for the ſame purpoſe;
but as he had no trace of her, all his enqui-
ries were fruitleſs.
On the night that Emmeline was at
the play, he had been at Covent-garden
Theatre, and meant to have looked into
the other houſe; but was detained by meet-
ing a young foreigner from whom he had
received civilities at Turin, 'till the houſe
was empty. So narrowly did he miſs find-
ing her he ſo anxiouſly fought.
Elkerton, in looking about for the happy
woman who was worthy the exalted ſitua-
гесі
tion
I L2


220 EMMELIN E,
tion of being his wife, had yet feen none
whoin he thought fo likely to ſucceed to
that honour as Miſs Mowbray; and if ſhe
was, on enquiry, found to be as lhe was re-
preſented, (related to Lord Montreville)
it would be ſo great an additional advan-
tage, that he determined in that caſe to lay
himſelf and his pied horſes, his houſe in
Kent, his library, and his fortune, all at her
feet immediately. Nor did he once ſuffer
himſelf to ſuſpect that there was a woman
on earth who could withſtand ſuch a tor-
rent of good fortune.
. .
In purſuance therefore of this reſolution,
he determined to make enquiry of Lord
Montreville himſelf, of whom he had juſt
known ſo much at Naples, as to receive
cards of invitation to Lady Montreville's
converſationes.
There he mingled with the croud ; and
was lightly noticed as an Engliſhman of
fortune; îmiled at for his affectation of
company and manners, which ſeemed
foreign to his original line of life; and then
forgotten.
But


THE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE. 221
. But Elkerton conceived this to be more:
than introduction enough; and dreſſing
himſelf in what he thought un diſabille la
plus impoſante, and with his ſervants in their
morning liveries, he ſtopped at the door of
Lord Montreville.
“ Lord Montreville was not at home.”
.66 When was he expected ?”.
" It was uncertain ; his Lordſhip was at
66 Audley-Hall, and might be in town in a
“ fortnight; or might not come up till the
6. meeting of Parliament.”
or And are all the family there?” en-
quired Elkerton, of the porter.
“ No, Sir; Mr. Delamere is in town.”
66 And when can I ſee Mr. Dela-
“ mere?"
The porter could not tell, as he did not
live in Berkley-ſquare.
" Where then is he?”
" At lodgings in Pall-Mall;" (for De-
lainere had left his direction with his fa-
ther's ſervants.)
Elkerton therefore took the addreſs with
L 3. a pencil ;


213
M M E L IN E,
a pencil; and determined, without farther
reflection, to drive thither.
It was about four o'clock, and in the
middle of November, when Delamere had
juſt returned to his lodgings, to dreſs before
he met his foreign friend, and ſoine other
young men, to dine at a tavern in St.
James's-ſtreet, when a loud rap at the door
announced a viſitor.
Millefleur having no orders to the con-
trary, and being dazzled with the ſplendour
of Elkerton's equipage, let him in; and he
was humming an Italian air out of tune, in
Delamere's drawing-room, when the latter
came out in his dreſſing-gown and Nippers
to receive him.
Delamere, on ſeeing the very odd figure
and babooniſh face of Elkerton, inſtead of
that of ſome body he knew, ſtopped ſhort
and made a grave bow.
Elkerton advancing towards him, bowed
alſo profoundly, and ſaid, “I am charined,
“ Sir, with being permitted the honour of
“ paying you my devoirs."
Delamere concluded from his look and
bow,
wire »


THE ORPHAN OF TME CASTCE, 223
bow, as well as from a foreign accent
(which Elkerton had affected 'till it was
become habitual) that the man was either
a dancing-maſter, or a quack doctor, fent
to him by ſome of his companions, who
frequently exerciſed on each other ſuch ef-
forts of practical wit. He therefore being
not without humour, bowed again more
profoundly than before; and anfwered,
" that the honour was entirely his, tho'.
“ he did not know how he had deſerved
66 it.”
“ I was fo fortunate, Sir," reſumed El--
kerton, « fo fortunate as to-have the
“ honour--the happineſs-of knowing
66 Lord Montreville and Lady Montre-
“ ville a few years ago at. Naples.”
Delamere, ſtill confirmed in his firſt idea,
anſwered, “ very probably, Sir.”
6. And, Sir," continued Elkerton, “I
6 now waited upon you, as his Lordſhip is,
“ not in town.”
“ Indeed, Sir, you are too obliging!”
“ To aſk, Sir, a queſtion, which I hope
66 will not be deemedbe deemed"
L4
(a word


THE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE. 225
Iriner
imagination of Delamere, and to inflaine
all his hopes. He bluſhed deeply, and his
voice faultering with anxiety, he criedi.
“ What ?--who, Sir !--a young Lady?
“ --what young Lady?” .
" Miſs Mowbray, they tell me, is · her
66 name; and I underſtand, Sir-but I dare
“ ſay froin miſtake that ſhe is of your fa-
6 mily.”
.
.
. . . .
Delamere could hardly breathe. He
feemed as if he was in a dream, and dared
not ſpeak for fear of awaking.
· Elkerton, led on by the queſtions Dela-
mere at length ſummoned reſolution to aſk,
proceeded to inform him of all he knew :
how, where, and how often, he had ſeen
Emmeline, and of his intentions to offer
himſelf a candidate for her favour; “ for
“ notwithſtanding, Sir,” ſaid he, “ that
“ Mr. Rochely ſeems to be fort avant en fes
« bon graces; I think I hope--I believe,
- that his fortune - (and yet his for-
“ tune does not perhaps ſo much exceed
“ mine as many ſuppoſe)-his fortune will
“ hardly turn the balance againſt me;
L 5
“ efpe-


226 EMMELINE,
«s, efpecially if I have the ſanction of Lord
“ Montreville, to whom I ſuppoſe (as you
“ ſeemn to acknowledge fome affinity be-
"tween Mifs Mowbray and his Lordſhip)
“ it will be no harm if I apply."
Thro' the mind of Delamere, a thouſand
confuſed ideas rapidly paffed. He was
divided between his joy at having found
Emmeline, his vexation at knowing the
was ſurrounded by rivals, and his fear that
his father might, by the application of El-
kerton to him, know that Emmeline's abode
was no longer a ſecret; and amidſt theſe
various ſenſations, he was able only to ex-
preſs his diflike of Elkerton, whoſe pre-
ſumption in thinking of Emmeline appeared
to cancel the caſual obligation he owed to
himn for diſcovering her.
« Sir,” ſaid he haughtily, as ſoon as he
could a little recover his recollection, “ 1
" ain very well aſſured that Lord Montre-
« ville will not hear any propoſals for Miſs
“ Mowbray. His Lordſhip has, in fact,
“ no authority over her; and beſides, he
“ is at preſent about to leave his houſe in
! “ Norfolk,


THE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE. 227
" Norfolk, and I know not when he will
“ be in town; perhaps not the whole
“ winter; he is now going to viſit fome
“ friends, and it will be impoffible you can
have any acceſs to him for ſome months.,
“ As to myſelf, you will excuſe me; I am
“ engaged to dine out.”
He rang the bell, and ordered the ſer-
vant who entered, to enquire for the gentle-
man's carriage. Then bowing cooly to
him, he went into his dreſſing-room, and
left the mortified Elkerton to regret the
little fucceſs of an attempt which he doubted
not would have excited, in the hearts of all
thoſe related to Miſs Mowbray, admiration
at his gerierofity, and joy for the good fora
tune of Emmeline : for he concluded, by
her being a companion to Mrs. Alhwood,
that the had no fortune, or any depen-
dance buť on the bounty of Lord Mon-
treville.
Delamere, whoſe ardent inclinations,
whatever turn they took, were never to be
a moment reſtrained, rang for his ſervants,
and diſpatching one of them with an excuſe
L 6
to


228 E M M E LI NE,
to his friends, he ſent a ſecond for an
hackney-coach. Then ordering up a cold
dinner, which he hardly ſtaid to eat, he got
into the coach, and directed it to be driven
as faſt as poſſible to Clapham Common,
where he aſked for the houſe of Mrs. Afh-
wood, and was preſently at the door.
The ſervant had that moment opened
the iron-gate, to let out a perſon who had
been to his miſtreſs upon buſineſs. Dela-
inere therefore enquiring if Miſs Mowbray
was at home, entered without ringing, and
telling the ſervant that he had occaſion to
ſpeak to Miſs Mowbray only, the man an-
ſwered, “ that ſhe was alone in the dreſſing-
« raom.” Thither therefore he deſired to
be ſhewn; and without being announced,
he entered the room.
- Inſtead of finding her alone; he ſaw her
ſit at work by a little table, on which were
two wax candles; and by her ſide, with his
arm, as uſual, over the back of her. chair,
and gazing earneſtly on her face, fat Mr.
Rochely.
· Emmeline did not look up when he came
in,


THE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE. 229
W
in, ſuppoſing it was the ſervant with tea.
Delamere therefore was cloſe to the table
when ſhe ſaw him. The work dropt from
her hands; ſhe grew pale, and trembled;
but not being able to riſe, ſhe only claſped
her hands together, and ſaid faintly-
- Oh! heaven !_Mr. Delamere ! ”
“ Yes, Emineline, it is Mr. Delamere !
66 and what is there ſo extraordinary in that ?
“I was told you were alone : may I beg the
“ favour of a few minutes converſation?”
Emmeline knew not what to reply. She
ſaw him dart an angry and diſdainful look
at poor Rochely; who, alarmed by the ap-
pearance of a ſtranger that appeared on ſuch
a footing of familiarity, and who poſſeſſed
the advantages of youth and a handſoine
perſon, had retreated ſlowly towards the fire,
and now ſurveyed Delamere with ſcruti-
nizing and diſpleaſed looks; while Dela-
mere ſaid to Emmeline" if you have no
“ particular buſineſs with this gentleman,
« will you go into ſome other room, tha
“ I may ſpeak to you on an affair of con-
" fequence ?".
.
.
o Sit


230 Ε Μ Μ Ε Ι Ν Ε, .
“ Sit down” ſaid Emmeline, recovering
her ſurprize; “ fit down, and I will attend
“ you prefently. Tell me, how is your
(6 fifter Auguſta ?”
“ I know not. She is in Yorkſhire.”
.66 And Lord Montreville ?” .
.“ Well, I believe. But what is all this
" to the purpoſe ? can I not ſpeak to you,
“ but in the preſence of a third perſon?”
Unequivocal as this hinť was, Rochely
ſeemed determined not to go, and Dela-'.
mere as reſolurely bent po affront him, if he
did not.
Emmetine therefore, who knew not what
elſe to do, was going to comply with his
requeſt of a private audience, when ſhe
was luckily relieved by the entrance of Mrs.
Afhwood and the tea table.
Mrs. Afhwoods furprized' at feeing a
ſtranger, and a ſtranger whoſe appearance
had more faſhion than the generality of her
viſitors, was introduced to Mr. Delamere ;
a ceremony he would willingly have diſ-
penſed with; and having made his bow,
and muttered ſomething about having
taken


THE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE. 231
taken the liberty to call on his relation, he
ſat down by Emmeline, and in a whiſper
told her he muſt and would ſpeak to her.
alone before he went.
Emmeline, to whoſe care the tea table
was allotted when Mifs Galton happened
not to be at Mrs Afhwood's, now excuſed
herſelf under pretence of being obliged to
make tea; and while it was paſſing, Mrs.
Alhwood made two or three attempts to in-
troduce general converfation; but it went
no farther than a few inſignificant ſentences
between her and Mr. Rochely.
Delamere, wholly engroſſed by the tumul-
cuous delight of having recovered Emme-
line, and by contriving how to ſpeak to
her alone, thought nothing elſe worthy his
atrention; and ſat looking at her with eyes
fo expreſſive of his love, that Rochely, who
anxiouſly watched him, was convinced
that his ſolicitude was infinitely ſtronger
than his relationſhip only would have pro-
duced.
He had at length learned, by conſtant
attention to every hint and every circum-
ſtance


232 • EMMELIN E,
ſtance that related to Emineline, who ſhe
was; and had even got from Mrs. Afhwood
a confuſed idea of Delamere's attachment
to her, which the preſent ſcene at once
elucidated.
Rochely ſaw in him not only a rival, but
a rival ſo dangerous that all his hopes ſeemed
to vaniſh at once. Unconſcious, 'till then,
how very indiſcreetly he was in love, he was
amazed at the pain he felt from this diſ-
covery; and with a moft rueful countenance,
ſat ſilent and diſconcerted.
Mrs. Alhwood, uſed to be flattered and
attended to, was in no good humour with
Mr. Delamere, who gave her ſo little of
his notice: and never perhaps were a party
more uncomfortable, 'till they were en-.
livened by the entrance of Miſs Galton
and Mr. Hanbury with another gentle-
man.
They were hardly placed, and had their
tea fent round, before a loud ring was
heard, and the ſervant announced " Mr.
« Elkerton” .
Mr. Elkerton came dancing into the
room;


THEORPHAN OF THE CASTLE. 233
room; and having ſpoken to Mrs. Alh-
wood and Emmeline, he ſlightly ſurveyed
the company, and fat down.
He was very near fighted, and affected
to be ſtill more ſo; and Delamere having
drawn his chair out of the circle, fat al-
moſt behind Emmeline; while the portly.
citizen, who had accompanied Mr. Han-
bury, ſat forward near the table; Delamere
was therefore hardly ſeen..
Elkerton began to tell them how im-
moderately he was fatigued. “ I have
“ been over the whole town,” ſaid he, “to
“ day. In the morning I was obliged to
« attend a boring appointment upon buſi-
neſs relative to my eſtate in Kent; and
to meet my tenants, who diſagreed with
“ my ſteward : and then, I went to call
es upon my old friend Delamere, Lord
Có Montreville's Son, in Pall-Mall; we
“ palled a very chearful hour diſcourſing
66 of former occurrences when we were to-
“ gether at Turin. Upon my word, he is
“ a good ſenſible young man. We have
“ renewed our intimacy; and he has
“ inliſted
ccurrence
we WCIC


234
.
M M E LI NE,
« inſiſted npon my going down with him
" to his father's houſe in Norfolk."
Emmeline fufpended her tea making,
and looked aſtoniſhed.
Mrs. Alhwood ſeemed furprized.
But Delamere, who had at firſt felt in-
clined to be angry at the folly and forward-
neſs of Elkerton, was now fo ftruck with
the ridicule of the circuinſtance, that he
broke into a loud laugh.
The eyes of the company were turned
towards bim, and Elkerton with great in-
dignation took his glaſs to furvey who it
was that had thus violated the rules of good
breeding; but great was his diſmay and
aſtoniſhment, when he beheld the very
Delamere of whom he had ſpoken with ſo
much aſſurance, riſe up, and advancingto-
wards him, make a grave bow.
“ Sir!” faid Delamere, very folemnly,
“ I cannot ſufficiently expreſs my gratitude
“ for your good opinion of me; nor my
“ happineſs to hear you intend to honour
« me with a viſit àt Audley Hall. Upon
“ my word you are too obliging, and I
66 know


E
,
M
E
M
I N
E
L
m
“ you do honour to the city ; but as to
" that there Mr. Elkerton, one muſt be
"s cautious; but for my part, I wonder
“ how ſome people go on. To my certain
• knowledge his father did'nt die ſo rich
« as was ſuppoſed--no-not by a many
" thouſands. Sir, I remember hiin-(and
“ I am not aſhamed to ſay it) for every
“ body knows I have got my money ho-
“ neſtly, and that its all of my own get-
“ ting—but, Sir, I remember that man's
“ father, and not a many years ago nei-
“ ther, carrying out parcels, and ſweep-
“ ing the ſhop for old Jonathan Huggins.
“ You knew old Jonathan Huggins. He i
“ did not die, I think, 'till about the year
" forty-one or two. You remember him,
“ to be ſure?” .
Rochely, ever treinblingly alive when
his age was called in queſtion, yet fearing
to deny a fact which he apprehended the
other would enter into a convincing detail
to prove, anſwered that " he ſlightly re-
“ membered him when he was quite a boy."
But his evaſion availed him nothing.
The


THE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE. 237
The old citizen, Mr. Rugby, was now got
upon his own ground; and moſt inhu-
manly for the feelings of poor Rochely, be-
gan to relate in whoſe mayoralty old Jona-
than Huggins was ſheriff, and when he was
mayor; who he married; who married his
daughters; and how he acquired an im-
menſe fortune, all by frugality at ſetting
out; and how one of his daughters, who
had married a Lord againſt the old man's
will, had ſpent more in one night than his
father did in a twelvemonth.
Delamere, who ſat execrating both Jona-
than Huggins and his hiſtorian, at length
loſt all patience; and ſaid to Emmeline, in
an half whiſper, “ I can bear this no lon-
“ ger : leave theſe tedious old fools, and
“ let me ſpeak to you for two minutes
66 only."
Emmeline knew not how to refuſe, with-
out hazarding ſome extravagance on the
part of Delamere. · But as ſhe did not like
the appearance of leaving the room abruptly,
The deſired Mrs. Alhwood would give her
permiſſion to order candles in the parlour,
as


238
E M M E L I NE,
as Mr. Delamere wiſhed to ſpeak with her
alone.
As ſoon as the ſervant informed her they
were ready, ſhe went down; and Dela-
mere followed her, having firſt wiſhed
Mrs. Alhwood a good night; who was too
much difpleaſed with the little attention he
had ſhewn her, to aſk him to ſupper, tho'
ſhe was very deſirous of having a man of his
faſhion in the liſt of her acquaintance.
Delamere and Emmeline were no ſooner
alone, than he began to renew, with every
argument he thought likely to move
her, his entreaties for a private marriage.
He ſwore that he neither could or would
live without her, and that her refuſal would
drive him to ſome act of deſperation.
Emmeline feared her reſolution would
give way; for the compariſon between the
people ſhe had lately been among, and
Delamere, was infinitely favourable to him.
Şuch unabated love, in a man who might
chuſe among the faireſt and moſt fortunate
of women, was very ſeducing; and the ad-
vantages of being his wife, inſtead of con-
tinuing


THE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE. 239
con
tinuing in the precarious ſituation ſhe was
now in, would have determined at once
a mind more attentive to pecuniary or ſelfiſh
motives.
But Emmeline, unſhaken by ſuch conſi-
derations, was liable to err only from the
ſoftneſs of her heart..
Delamere unhappy-Delamere wearing
our in hopeleſs folicitude the bloom of life,
was the object ſhe found it moſt difficult to
contend with; and feeble would have been
her defence, had ſhe not conſidered herſelf
as engaged in honour to Lord Montreville
to refuſe his ſon, and ſtill more engaged to
reſpect the peace of the family of her dear
Auguſta.
• Strengthened by theſe reflections, ſhe re-
fuſed, tho’in the gentleſt manner, to liſten
to ſuch propoſals; reproached him, tho'
with more tenderneſs in her voice and
manner than ſhe had yet ſhewn, for having
left Audley Hall without the concurrence
of Lord Montreville ; and entreated him to
return, and try to forget her.
“ Let me periſh if I do !” eagerly an-
ſwered


240 EMMELINE,
ſwered Delamere. “ No, Emmeline; if
“ you determine to pulh me to extremities,
« to you only will be the miſery imputable,
66 when my miſtaken parents, in vain re-
• pentance, hang over the tomb of their
“ only ſon, and ſee the laſt of his family
“ in an early grave. It is in your power
" only to ſave me-- You refuſe --- farewell,
" then I wiſh no future regret may em-
“ bitter your life, and that you may find
“ confolation in being the wife of ſome
so one of thoſe perfons who are, I fee, of-
“ fering you all that riches can beſtow.
• Farewell, lovely, inhuman girl ! be
“ happy if you can-after having ſacrificed
« to a miſtaken point of honour, the re-
“ poſe and the life of him who lived only
« to adore you."
· So ſaying, he ſuddenly opened the door,
and was leaving the room. But Emmeline,
who ſhuddered at the picture he had drawn
of his deſpair, and ſaw ſuch traces of its
reality on his countenance, caught his arm.
“ Stay! Mr. Delamere” cried ſhe,
6 ſtay yet a moment, !"
“ For


THE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE. 241
· 6 For what purpoſe?” anſwered he,
" ſince you refuſe to hear me?"
He turned back, however, into the
room; and Emmeline, who fancied ſhe ſaw
him the victim of his unfortunate love,
could no longer command her tears.
· Delamere threw himſelf at her feet, and
embraced her knees.
« Oh Emmeline !” cried he, 'weeping
alſo, “ hear me for the laſt time. Either
“ conſent to be mine, or let me take an
" eternal adieu!”.
" What would you have me do good
“ God! what is it you expect of me?”
“ To go with me to Scotland to-morrow
" -to night-directly !”
.6 Oh, no! no !-Does not Lord Mon-
t6 treville depend upon my honour -
if can I betray a truſt repoſed in me?”
“ Chimeras all; founded in tyranny on
“ his part, and weakneſs on yours. He had
“ no right to exact ſuch a promiſe ; you
“ had no right to give it. But however,
6 ſend to him again to ſay I have ſeen you
66 -ſummons him hither to divide us
Vol. I. M
“ you


242 EMMELINE,
“ you may certainly do ſo if you pleaſe ;
66 but Lord Montreville will no longer
« have a ſon; at leaſt England, nor Europe,
66 will contain him no longer-I will go
66 where my father ſhall hear no more of
66 me.”
" Will it content you, if I promiſe you
w not to write to Lord Montreville, nor to
** cauſe him to be written to; and to ſee
s you again ?”
66 When?”
« To-morrow-whenever you pleaſe.”
Delamere, catching at this faint ray of
hope, promiſed, if ſhe would allow him to
come thither when he would, he would en-
deavour to be calm. He made her
ſolemnly proteſt that ſhe would neither
write to Lord Montreville, or procure ano-
ther to do it; and that ſhe would not
leave Mrs. Aſhwood without letting him
know when and whither ſhe went; and
if by any accident his father heard of his
having found her, that ſhe would enter in-
to no new engagements to conceal herſelf
from him.
Having


THE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE. 243
Having procured from her theſe aſſur-
ances, which he knew ſhe would not
violate, and having obtained her conſent
to ſee him early the next morning, he at
her requeſt agreed to take his leave;
which he did with leſs pain than he had ever
before felt at quitting her; carrying with
him the delightful hope that he had made
an impreſſion on her heart, and ſecure of
ſeeing her the next day, he went home
comparatively happy.
Emmeline, who had wept exceſſively,
was very unfit to return to the company;
but ſhe thought her not appearing again
among them would be yet more ſingular.
She therefore compoſed herſelf as well as
ſhe could ; and after ſtaying a few minutes
to recollect her ſcattered ſpirits, ſhe entered
the room where they were at cards.
Rochely, who was playing at whift with
Mrs. Alhwood, Mr. Rugby, and Mr.
Hanbury, looked anxiouſly at her eyes ;
and preſently loſing all attention to what he
was about, and forgetting his game, he
played
es
M
2


244 - E M M E LINE,
played ſo extremely ill, that he loſt the
rubber.
The old cit, who had three half crowns
depending, and who was a determined
grumbler at cards, fell upon him without
mercy; and faid ſo many rude things, that
Rochely could not help retorting; and it
was with ſome difficulty Mrs. Alhwood
prevented the groſſeſt abuſe being laviſhed
from the enraged Rugby on the enamoured
banker; who defiring to give his cards
to Miſs Galton, got up and ordered his
carriage.
Emmeline fat near the fire, with her
handkerchief in her hand, which was yet
wet with tears.
Rochely, with a privilege he had been
uſed to, and which Emmeline, from a
man old enough to be her father, thought
very inconſequential, took her hand and
the handkerchief it held.
" So, Miſs Mowbray,” ſaid he, “ Mr.
6 Delamere is your near relation?”
“ Yes, Sir.”
" And


THE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE. 245
“ And he has brought you, 1 fear, ſome
“ ill news of your family?”
“ No, ſir,” ſighed Emmeline.
“ No death, I hope?”
“ No, lir,"
« Whence then, theſe tears ?”
Emmeline drew her hand away.
66 What a ſtrange young man this is, to
“ make you cry. What has he been ſaying
“ to you?"
“ Nothing, ſir.”
“ Ah! Miſs Mowbray; ſuch a lad as
" that is but an indifferent guardian ; ' pray
“ where does his father live ?”
Miſs Mowbray, not aware of the purpoſe
of this enquiry, and glad of any thing that
looked like common converſation, an-.
ſwered “ at Audley Hall, in Norfork;
“ and in Berkley-Square.”
Some other queſtions, which ſeemed of
no conſequence, Rochely aſked, and Em-
meline anſwered ; 'till hearing his carriage
was at the door, he went away. .
" I don't like your Mr. Delamere at all,
“ Miſs Mowbray,” ſaid Mrs. Alhwood, as
M3 . foon


246 EMM Ë LINE,
foon as the game ended. “ I never ſaw a
“ prouder, more diſagreeable young man
« in my life.”
Emmeline ſmiled faintly, and ſaid ſhe
was ſorry he did not pleaſe her.
“ No, nor me neither,” ſaid Miſs Gal-
ton. “ Such haughtineſs indeed !-yet I
“ was glad he mortified that puppy Elker-
56 ton."
Emmeline, who found the two friends
diſpoſed to indulge their good nature at the
expence of the company of the evening,
complained of being fatigued, and aſked
for a glaſs of wine and water: which having
drank, The 'retired to bed, leaving the lady
of the houſe, who had invited Mr. Han-
bury and his friend to ſupper, to enjoy
more ſtories of Jonathan Huggins, and
the pretty ſatyrical efforts of Miſs Galton,
who made her court moſt effectually by
ridiculing and villifying all their acquaint-
ance whenever it was in her power. .
CHAP


THE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE, 247
CHAPTER XIV.
W HEN Rochely got home, he ſet
V about examining the ſtate of his
heart exactly as he would have examined
the check book of one of his cuſtomers.
He found himſelf moſt miſerably in love.
But avarice ſaid, Miſs Mowbray had no for-
tune.
By what had paſſed in his bofom that
evening, he had diſcovered that he ſhould
be wretched to ſee her married to another.
But avarice enquired how he could offer
to marry a woman without a ſhilling?
Love, repreſented that her modeſt, re-
ſerved, and unambitious turn, would per-
haps make her, in the end, a more pro-
fitable inatch than a woman educated in
expence, who might diſſipate more than
the brought.
Avarice aſked whether he could depend
M 4
on


248 EMMELINE,
on modeſty, reſerve, and a retired turn, in
a girl not yet eighteen?
After a long diſcuſſion, Love very unex-
pectedly put to flight the agent of Plutus,
who had, with very little interruption,
reigned deſpoticly over all his thoughts and
actions for many years; and Rochely de-
termined to write to Lord Montreville, to
lay his circumſtances before him, and make
a formal propoſal to marry Miſs Mow-
bray;
In purſuance of this reſolution, he com-
poſed, with great pains, (for he was re-
markably flow in whatever he undertook)
the following epiſtle. .
.“ My Lord,
“ This ſerves to inform your Lordſhip,
“ that I have ſeen Miſs Mowbray, and
“ like her well enough to be willing to
6 marry her, if you, my Lord, have not any
“ other views for her ; and as to fortune,
“ I will juſt give your Lordſhip a meio-
“ randum of mine.
" I have


THE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE. 249
“ I have fixty thouſand pounds in the
6 ſtocks; viz. eighteen in the three per
“ cent. confols. twenty in Bank ſtock;
" ten in Eaſt India ſtock ; and twelve in
“ South Sea annuities.
“ I have about forty thouſand on dif-
“ferent mortgages; all good, as I will be
“ ready at any time to ſhew you. I have
“ houſes worth about five more. And
“ after the death of my mother, who is
“ near eighty, I ſhall have an eſtate in
“ Middleſex worth ten more. The in-
“ come of my buſineſs is near three
" thouand pounds a year; and my whole
“ income near ten thouſand.
“My character, my Lord, is well known:
“ and you will find, if we agree, that I
“ ſhall not limit Miſs Mowbray's ſettle-
“ inent to the proportion of what your
“ Lordſhip may pleaſe to give her, (for I
“ ſuppoſe you will give her ſomething)
“ but to what ſhe ought to have as my.
“ widow, if it hould ſo happen that ſhe
“ ſurvives me.
“ I have reaſon to believe Miſs Mow-
M 5. ' “ bray
e


250 EMMELINEM
,
“ bray has no diſlike to this propoſal; and
“ hope to hear from your Lordſhip thereon
“ by return of poſt.
. “ I am, my Lord,
“.your Lordſhip’s very humble ſervant,
“ HUMPHREY Rochely."
Lombard-freet,
Nov. 20th. 17-os
This was going to the point at once.
The letter arrived in due time at Audley-
Hall; and was received by Lord Montre-
ville with ſurprize and ſatisfaction. The
hint of Miſs Mowbray's approbation made
him hope ſhe was yet concealed from De-
lamere: and as he determined to give the
earlieſt and ſtrongeſt encouragement to this
overture, from a man worth above an hun-
dred thouſand pounds, he called a council
with Sir Richard Crofts, who knew
Rochely, and who kept caſh with him; and
it was determined that Lord Montreville
ſhould go to town, not only to cloſe at
once with the opulent banker, but to get
Dela-


THE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE. 251
Delamere out of the way while the marriage
was in agitation, which it would otherwiſe
be impoſſible to conceal from him. To
perſuade him to another continental tour
was what Sir Richard adviſed : and agreed
to go to town with his Lordſhip, in order
to aſſiſt in this arduous undertaking.
Lord Montreville, however, failed not
immediately to anſwer the letter he had re-
ceived from Mr. Rochely in theſe terms
« Sir,
ven
“ This day's poſt brought me the honour
“ of your letter.
:“ If Miſs Mowbray is as ſenſible as the
« ought to be, of ſo flattering a diſtinc-
" tion, be aſſured it will be one of the moſt
• ſatisfactory events of my life to ſee her
“ form a connection with a gentleman
“ truly worthy and reſpectable.
“ To haften the completion of an event
“ ſo deſirable, 1 fully intend being in town
in a very few days; when I will, with
M 6
or your
!


252 E M M E L IN E, .
“ your permiffion, wait on you in Lom.
66 bard-ſtreet.
" I have the honour to be, with great
6 eſteem,
“Sir,
.'" your moſt devoted,
“ and moſt obedient ſervant,
« MontreviLLE.”
Audley. Hall, Nov. 23.
The haughty Peer, who derived his blood
from the moſt antient of the Britiſh Nobi-
lity, thus condeſcended to flatter opulence
and to court the alliance of riches. Nor
did he think any advances he could make
beneath him, when he hoped at once to
marry his niece to advantage, and what
was yet more material, put an invincible
bar between her and his ſon.
While this correſpondence, fo inimical to
Delamere's hopes, was paſliing between his
father and Mr. Rochely, he was every hour
with Emir, eline; intoxicated with his paf-
fion, indulging the moſt delightful hopes,
... and


254 EMMELINE,
which ſhe threw ſo much pathos, that loft
in fond admiration, he “ hung over her,
.“ enamoured ;” when ſhe was interrupted
by the entrance of a ſervant, who faid that
a Lord, but he forgot the name, was be-
low, and deſired to ſpeak with Miſs Mow-
bray.
. If Emmeline was alarmed at the fight of
Lord Montreville at Swanſea, when ſhe had
acted with the ſtricteſt attention to his wiſhes,
ſhe had now much more reaſon to be fo,
when ſhe felt herſelf conſcious of having
given encouragement to Delamere, and
had reaſon to fear her motives for doing ſo
would be miſbelieved or iniſunderſtood.
Tho' the ſervant had forgotten his name,
Einmeline doubted not but it was Lord
Montreville ; and ſhe had hardly time to
think how ſhe ſhould receive him, before
his Lordſhip (who had impatiently followed
the ſervant up ſtairs) entered the room.
Delamere, immoveable behind Emme-
line's chair, was the firſt object that ſtruck
hiin.
He had hoped that her reſidence was yet
unknown


THE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE. 255
unknown to his ſon ; and furprize, vexa-
tion, and anger, were marked in his coun-
tenance and attitude.
“ Miſs Mowbray !” (advancing towards
her) “ is it thus you fulfil the promiſe you
“ gave me? And you, Mr. Delamere
“ do you ſtill obſtinately perſiſt in this ridi-
“ culous, this unworthy attachment ?"
“ I left you, my Lord,” anſwered Dela-
mere, “ without deceiving you as to my
“ motives for doing ſo. I came in ſearch
“ of Miſs Mowbray. By a fortunate ac-
66 cident I found her. I have never diſli-
* mulated ; nor ever mean it in whatever
“ relates to her. Nothing has prevented
“ my making her irrevocably mine, but
“ her too ſcrupulous adherence to a pro-
“ miſe ſe ought never to have given, and
“ which your Lordſhip ought never to have
“ extorted.”
Emmeline, gentle as ſhe was, had yet
that proper ſpirit which conſcious worth
ſeldom fails of inſpiring: and knowing that
ſhe had already ſacrificed much to the re-
fpect ſhe thought Lord Montreville entitled
to,


256 EMMELIN E,
to, ſhe was hurt at finding, froin his angry
and contemptuous tone, as well as words,
that ſhe was condemned unheard, and
treated with harſhneſs where ſhe deſerved
only kindneſs and gratitude.
The courage of which her firſt ſurprize
had deprived her, was reſtored by theſe
ſenſations; and the ſaid, with great coolneſs,
yet with leſs timidity than uſual, “my
“ Lord, I have yet done nothing in viola-
“ tion of the promiſe I gave you. But
" the moment your Lordſhip doubts my
“ adherence to it, from that moment I con-
• ſider it as diffolved.”
Delamere, encouraged by an anſwer fo
flattering to his hopes, now addreſſed him-
ſelf to his father, who was by this time
feated ; and ſpoke fo forcibly of his invin-
cible attachment, and his determined pur-
pofe never to marry any other woman, that
the reſolution of Lord Montreville was
ſhaken, and would perhaps have given way,
if the violent and clamorous oppoſition of
his wife on one hand, and the ambitious
projects and artful advice of Sir Richard
Crofts
as


THE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE. 257
Crofts on the other, had not occurred to
him. He commanded himſelf ſo far as not
to irritate Delamere farther, by reflections
on the conduct of Emmeline, which he
found would not be endured; and trying
to ſtifle his feelings under the diſſimulation
of the courtier, he heard with patience all
he had to urge. He even anſwered him
with temper; made an apology to Emme-
line for any expreſſions that might have
given her offence; and at length threw into
his manner a compoſure that elated Dela-
mere to a degree of hope hitherto unfelt.
He fan cied that his father, weary of hope-
leſs oppoſition, and convinced of the merit
of Emmeline, would conſent to his mar-
riage : and his quick ſpirit ſeizing with
avidity on an idea ſo flattering, converted
into a confirmation of it all Lord Montre-
ville’s diſcourſe for the remainder of the
viſit : in which, by diffimulation on one , ..
part, and favourable expectations on the
other, they both ſeemed to return to ſome
degree of good humour.
Delamere agreed to go home with his
father ;


258
E M M E LINE,
father; and Lord Montreville having de-
termined to return the next day to ſpeak to
Emmeline on the propoſals of Rochely,
they parted ; his Lordſhip meditating as he
went home how to prevent Delamere's in-
terrupting the conference he wiſhed to
have on a ſubject which was ſo near his
heart.
On his arrival at his own houſe, he found
Sir Richard Crofts waiting for him, whom
he detained to ſupper. Delamere, as ſoon
as it was over, went to his lodgings; which
Lord Montreville did not oppoſe, as he
wiſhed to be alone with Sir Richard ; but
he defired, that after that evening Dela-
mere would return to his apartments in
Berkley-ſquare; which he partly promiſed
to do.
· Lord Montreville related to Sir Richard
what had paſſed, and the uneaſineſs he was
under to find that Delamere, far from re-
laxing in his determination, had openly re-
newed his addreſſes; and that Emmeline
ſeemed much leſs diſpoſed to ſacrifice his
wiſhes


264 E M M E L IN E,
treat, when the gentleman advancing to.
wards her, told her he waited on her, com-
miſſioned by Lord Montreville. .
Emmeline ſat down in ſilence, and Sir
Richard began.
" Miſs Mowbray, I have the honour to
« be connected with Lord Montreville,
“ and entirely in his Lordſhip's confi-
“ dence : you will pleaſe therefore to con-
“ ſider what I ſhall ſay to you as coming
“ immediately, directly, and abſolutely,
“ from himſelf; and as his Lordſhip’s de-
« cided, and unalterable, and irrevocable
“ intentions."
The abruptneſs of this ſpeech ſhocked
and diſtreſſed Emmeline. She grew very
pale; but bowing ſlightly to the ſpeaker,
he went on.
“ My Lord Montreville hopes and ſup-
" poſes, and is willing to believe, that
“ you have not, in direct violation of your
“ promiſe ſolemnly given, encouraged
“ Mr. Delamere in the abſurd, and impof-
“ fible, and impracticable project of mar-
“ rying you. But however that may have
“ been, as it is his Lordſhip’s firm reſolu-
tion


THE ORPHAN AN
OF THE CASTLE. 265
~ tion and determination never to ſuffer
“ ſuch a connection, you have, I ſuppoſe,
“ too much ſenſe not to ſee the miſchief
- you muſt occaſion, and bring on, and
“ cauſe to yourſelf, by encouraging a gid-
“ dy, and infatuated, and ignorant, and
“ raſh young man, to reſiſt paternal autho-
“ rity."
Emmeline was ſtill ſilent.
“ Now here is an opportunity of eſtabliſh-
“ ing yourſelf in affluence, and reputation,
“ and fortune, beyond what your moſt
“ ſanguine hopes could offer you; and I
“ am perſuaded you will eagerly, and rea-
“ dily, and immediately embrace it. Lord
“ Montreville inſiſts upon it; the world
“ expects it; and Mr. Delamere's family
6 deinand it of you."
" Sir !” ſaid Emmeline, aſtoniſhed at
the peremptory tone and ſtrange purport of
theſe words.
“ It is my cuſtom,” reſumed Sir Richard,
« when I am upon buſineſs to ſpeak plain-
“ ly, and ſtraitly, and to the point. This
“ then is what I have to propoſe-You are
Vol.l.
« acquainted
N


THE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE. 267
imagination at once with the contraſt he
placed before her.
“ lf,” continued he, “ you will agree
« to become the wife of Mr. Rochely, as
« ſoon as ſettlements can be prepared, my
« Lord Montreville, of whoſe generoſity,
“ and greatneſs of mind, and liberality,
“ too much cannot be ſaid, offers to con-
“ ſider you as being really his niece; as
" being really a daughter of the Mowbray
“ family; and, that being ſo conſidered,
so you may not be taken by any man por-
" tionleſs, he will, on the day of marriage,
“ preſent, and ſettle on, and give you,
" three thouſand pounds.
.6 Now, Miſs Mowbray, conſider, and
« weigh, and reflect on this well: and give
s me leave, in order that you may form a
“ juſt judgment, to tell you the confe-
“ quence of your refuſal.
« My Lord Montreville, who is not
“ obliged to give you the leaſt affiſtance,
" or ſupport, or countenance, does by me
o declare, that if you are ſo weak (to call
66 it by no harſher name) as to refuſe this aſto-
N2
“ niſhing,


270 EMMELINE,
« ſenſe of honour, of which at leaſt her
« birth does not deprive her, ſhe might
“ now have been the wife of Mr. Dela-
mere, and independant of his Lordſhip’s
“ authority; and it is improbable, that one
“ who has facrificed ſo much to integrity,
" ſhould now be compelled by threats of
“ indigence to the baſeſt of all actions,
“ that of felling her perſon and her happi-
“ neſs for a ſubſiſtence. I beg that you,
a Sir, who ſeem to have delivered Lord
- Montreville's meſſage with ſuch ſcrupu-
“ lous exactneſs, will take the trouble to
“ be as preciſe in my anſwer; and that his
“ Lordſhip will conſider it as final.”
Having ſaid this, with a firmneſs of
voice and manner which reſentment, as
well as a noble pride, ſupplied; ſhe aroſe,
curtſeyed compoſedly to Sir Richard, and
went out of the room; leaving the unſuc-
ceſsful ambaſſador aſtoniſhed at that ſtrength
of mind, and dignity of manner, which
he did not expect in ſo young a woman,
and ſomewhat mortified, that his maſculine
eloquence, on which he was accuſtomed


THE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE. 271
to pride himſelf, and which he thought
generally unanſwerable, had ſo entirely fal-
len ſhort of the effect he expected.
Unwilling however to return to Lord
· Montreville without hopes of ſucceſs, he
thought he might obtain at leaſt fome in-
formation from Mrs. Aſhwood of the like-
lieft means to move her untractable and
high-ſpirited friend. He therefore rang
the bell, and deſired to ſpeak with that
lady. But as ſhe was not yet returned from
the houſe of her father, where a family
meeting was held to inſpect his will, Sir
Richard failed of attempting to ſecure her
agency; and was obliged, however reluc-
tantly, to depart.
· Emmeline, whoſe command of herſelf
was exerted with too much violence not to
ſhake her whole frame with it's effects, no
fooner reached her own chamber than ſhe
found all her courage gone, and a violent
paſſion of tears ſucceeded.
Her deep convulſive ſighs reached the
ears of Miſs Galton, who entered the room,
.: N4
and


272 EMMELINE,
W
as
and began, in the common mode of conſo-
lation, firſt to enquire why ſhe wept ?
Emmeline anſwered only by weeping the
more.
Miſs Galton enquired if that gentleman
was Lord Montreville.
Emmeline was unable to reply; and Miſs
Galton finding no gratification to her cu-
rioſity, which, mingled with envious ma-
lignity, had long been her ruling paſſion,
was obliged to quit the unhappy Emme-
line; which was indeed the only favour ſhe
could do her.
The whole morning had paſſed before
Miſs Mowbray was able to come down
ſtairs, and when ſhe did, her languor and
dejection were exceſſive. Miſs Galton
only dined with her; if it might be called
dining, for ſhe eat nothing; but juſt as
the cloth was removed, a coach ſtopped,
and Mrs. Aſhwood appeared, led by her
brother, Mr. Stafford.
Emmeline, who had not very lately heard
from her beloved friend, now eagerly en-
quired after her, and learned that the illneſs
IS
of


THE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE. 273
of one of her children had, together with
her being far advanced in her pregnancy,
prevented her coming to London with Mr.
Stafford; who, tho' ſummoned thither im-
mediately on his father's death, had only
arrived the evening before; the meſſenger
that went, having miſſed him at his own
houſe, and having been obliged to follow
him into Dorſetſhire..
He delivered to Miſs Mowbray a letter
from Mrs. Stafford, with which Emmeline,
eager to read it, retired
“ Truſt me, Emmeline, no abatement
“ in my tender regard, has occaſioned my
“ omitting to write to you : but anxiety of
“ mind ſo great, as to deprive me of all
power to attend to any thing but it's im-
“ mediate object. Your poor little friend
“ Harry, who looked ſo much recovered,
“ and ſo full of health and ſpirits, when
« you left him at Swanſea, was three weeks
“ ago ſeized again with one of thoſe fevers
“ to which he has ſo repeatedly been liable,
“ and for many days his life appeared to
N 5
“ be


274 E M M E LINE,
“ be in the moſt immediate danger. You
« know how far we are from a phyſician;
“ and you know my anxiety for this firſt
“ darling of my heart; judge then, my
" Emmeline, of the miſerable hours I have
“ known, between hope and fear, and the
“ Neepleſs nights I have paſſed at the bed
“ fide of my ſuffering cherub; and in my
- preſent ſtate I doubly feel all this anxiety
" and fatigue, and am very much other-
56 wiſe than well. But of myſelf I think
“ not, ſince Harry is out of danger, and
“ Dr. Farnaby thinks will ſoon be entirely
“ reſtored; but he is ſtill ſo very weak,
" that I never quit him even a moment.
6 The reſt of my children are well; and all
66 who are capable of recollection, remem.
“ ber and love you.
" And now, my dear Miſs Mowbray, as
“ the viſitors who have been with me
“ ever ſince my return from Swanſea, are
“ happily departed and no others expected,
“ and as Mr. Stafford will be engaged in
" town almoſt all the winter, in conſequence
“ of his father's death, will you not come to
"Sine?


THE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE. 275
.
66. me? You only can alleviate and ſhare a
6 thouſand anxieties that pray on my fpi-
“ rits ; you only can ſweeten the hour of
“ my confinement, which will happen in
" January; and before you only I can figh
" at liberty and be forgiven.
.Ah! Emmeline the death of Mr.
“ Stafford's father, far from producing fatis-
« faction as increaſing our fortune, brings
" to me only regret and ſorrow. He loved
“ me with great affection; and I owe him
“ a thouſand obligations. The family will
“ have reaſon to regret his loſs; tho' the
« infirmities of the latter part of his life
“ were not much alleviated by their atten-
“ dance or attention.
" Coine to me, Emmeline, if poſſible;
« come, if you can, with Mr. Stafford;
“ or if he is detained long in town, come
“ without him. I will ſend my poſt-chaiſe
“ to meet you at Baſingſtoke. Lord Mon-
" treville cannot object to it; and Dela-
“ mere, whom you have never mentioned,
“ has, I conclude, given way to the
“ peremptory commands of his father,
N 6
66 and


THE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE. 277.
that ſhe had a violent pain in her head and
would go to bed.
Mrs. Aſhwood, full of her increaſed for-
tune, and buſied in ſtudying to make her
deep mourning as becoming as poſſible,
let her do as ſhe would, and thought no
more about her.
She had therefore time to meditate at
leiſure on her wayward fate ; and ſome ſur-
prize that Delamere had not appeared the
whole day, mingled itſelf with her reflec-
tions. .
Poor Delamere was not to blame. Lord
Montreville had ſent to him very early in
the morning to deſire to ſee him for five
minutes on buſineſs of conſequence.
Delamere, who from what had paffed the
evening before had indulged, during the
night, the fondeſt dreams of happineſs,
obeyed the ſummons not without ſome
hopes that he ſhould hear all his favourable
preſages confirmed. When he came, how-
ever, his father waving all diſcourſe that
related to Emmeline or himſelf, affected to
conſult him on a propoſal he had received
for


THE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE. 279
converſation but on general ſubjects, during
their ſhort journey.
• The dinner paſſed as ſuch dinners gene-
rally do too much in the ſecret to touch
on politics, all ſuch diſcourſe was carefully
avoided at the table of Lord Dornock.
In literature they had no reſource; and
therefore the converſation chiefly turned on
the pleaſure they were then enjoying, that
of the luxuries of the table. They deter-
mined on the merits of the veniſon of the
paſt ſeaſon ; ſettled what was the beſt way
of preparing certain diſhes; and whoſe
domain produced the moſt exquiſite mate-
rials for others. And on theſe topics a ſo-
ciety of cook's could not have more
learnedly deſcanted.
Delamere, not yet of an age to be ini-
tiated into the noble ſcience of eating, and
among whoſe ideas of happineſs the de-
lights of gratifying his palate had not yet
been numbered, heard them with impa-
cience and diſguſt.
He was obliged, however, to ſtay while
the wines were criticiſed as eloquently as
the


280 E M M E LINE,
the meats had been; and to endure a long
harangue from the maſter of the houſe,
cole roti, and lacryma Chrifti ; and after
the elder part of the company had adjuſted
their various merits and ſwallowed a fuffi-
cient quantity, the two noblemen retired to
a private conference; and Delamere, obliged
to move into a circle of inſipid women;
took refuge in cards, which he deteſted al-
moſt as much as the entertainment he had
juft quitted.
The hours, however, flowly wore away,
and his patience was almoſt exhauſted.
Soon after ten o'clock he ventured to
ſend to his father, to know whether he was
ready to return to town? But he received
a meſſage in reply, “ that he had deter- '
“ mined to ſtay all night."
Vexed and angry, Delamere began to
fufpect that his father had ſome deſign in
thus detaining him at a diltance froin Em.
meline; and fired by indignation at this
idea, equally ſcorning to ſubmit to reſtraint,
or to be detained by fineſſe, he diſengaged
himſelf from the card-table, fetched his hat,
and -


THE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE. 28r
and without ſpeaking to any body, walked
to the next village, where he got into a
poſt-chaiſe and was preſently in London.
But as it was almoſt twelve o'clock, he for-
bore to viſit Emmeline that night.
CH A P T E R XVI.
A s ſoon as there was any probability
N of Emmeline's being viſible the next
morning, Delamere was at Clapham.
The ſervant of whom he enquired for her,
told him, that Miſs Mowbray had not yet
rung her bell, and that as it was later than
her uſual hour, ſhe was afraid it was owing
to her being ill.
Alarmed at this intelligence, Delamere
eagerly queſtioned her further; and learned
that the preceding morning, a gentleman
who had never been there before, had
been


284 E M M E LINE,
believed Emmeline (whom he could never
induce to own that her partiality for him
exceeded the bounds of friendſhip) yet
cheriſhed in her heart a paſiion ſhe would
not avow.
While he was indulging theſe fanguine
and delicious hopes, he heard a bell ring,
and flew to enquire if it was that of Einme-
line ?
The maid who croſſed the hall to attend
it's ſummons, told him it was.
He ſtepped ſoftly up ſtairs behind the
ſervant, and waited at the door of the
chamber while ſhe went in.
To the queſtion, from the maid, “ how
“ The did?” Emmeline anſwered, 6 much
66 better."
" Mr. Delamere is here, Madam, and
“ begs to know whether he may ſee you?"
Emmeline had expected him all the day
before, and was not at all ſurprized at his
coining now. But ſhe knew not what ſhe
ſhould ſay to him. To diffimulate was to her
almoſt impoſſible ; yet to tell him what had
paſſed between her and Sir Richard Crofts
was


286 EMME L IN E,
excuſe for her ſwollen eyes and languid
looks, ſhe wrapt a gauze hood over her head,
and tied a black ribband round her throat;
for tho’ ſhe could not wholly conceal the
truth from Delamere, ſhe wiſhed to pre-
vent his ſeeing how much it had affected
her.
When ſhe entered the room, Delamere,
who was at the door to ineet her, was
aſtoniſhed at the alteration he ſaw in her
countenance.
- You are ill, Emmeline ?” ſaid he,
taking her hand.
“ I am not quite well--I have a violent
" cold coming."
« A cold !” eagerly anſwered Delamere,
“ you have been crying--who was the
o perſon who called on you yeſterday?"
It was now in vain to attempt conceal-
ment if ſhe had intended it.. .
“ He did not tell me his name, for our
converſation was very ſhort; but his
« ſervants told thoſe of Mrs. Alhwood
6 that his name is Sir Richard Crofts."
“ And


THE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE. 287
66 And what buſineſs could Sir Richard
“ Crofts poſſibly have with you?"
Emmeline related the converſation with
great fidelity and without comment.
Delamere had hardly patience to hear her
out. He proteſted he would immediately
go to Sir Richard Crofts, and not only force
him to apologize for what had paſſed, but
promiſe never again to interfere between
Lord Montreville and his family.
From executing this violent meaſure,
Emmeline by earneſt entreaty diverted
him.
She had not yet recovered the ſhock
given her by the unwelcome interview of
the preceding day; and tho' ſhe had a very
excellent conſtitution, her ſenſibility of
mind was ſo great, that when ſhe ſuffered
any poignant uneaſineſs, it immediately af-
fected her frame. In the preſent ſtate of
her ſpirits, ſhe could not hear Delamere's
vehement and paſſionate exclamations with-
out tears; and when he ſaw how much ſhe
was hurt, he commanded himſelf; ſpoke
more calınly; and by a rapid tranſition from
rage


THE ORPHAN OF THE CASTLE. 289
root which his paſſion had taken in his
heart, than the influence Emmeline had
obtained over his ungovernable and violent
{pirit, hitherto unuſed to controul, and ac-
cuſtomed from his infancy to exert over his
own family the moſt boundleſs deſpotiſm.
Emmeline, tranquillized and conſoled by
his promiſes, then entreated him to go; as
the ſtate of Mrs. Alhwood's family made
viſitors improper. In this, too, heobeyed her.
And as ſoon as he was gone, Emmeline far
down to write to Mrs. Stafford, related
briefly what had lately happened, and told
her, that as ſoon as Lord Montreville could
be induced to ſettle ſome yearly fum for
her ſupport, (which notwithſtanding his
threats ſhe ſtill thought he would do, on
condition of her engaging never, without
his conſent, to marry Delamere,) ſhe would
ſet out for Woodfield.
Lord Montreville, abſorbed in politics
and in a negociation with miniſtry, had, on
the evening when he and his ſon were at
Lord Dornock's, forgotten the impatient
temper and particular fituation of Delamere.
Vol. In
His


290
Ν Ε,
Ε Μ
Ι
Μ Ε Σ
O
His non appearance at ſupper occaſioned
an enquiry, and it was found he had left
the houſe. It was too late for Lord Mon-
treville to follow him that night, and
would, indeed, have been uſeleſs; but early
the next morning he was in Berkley ſquare,
where he heard nothing of his ſon.
He received a letter from Sir Richard
Crofts, relating the ill ſucceſs of his em-
baſſy; but adding, that he would bring
Rochely to his Lordſhip the next day, to
conſider together what was next to be done.
A letter alſo ſoon after arrived from Lady
Montreville, to let his Lordſhip know that
herſelf and her daughter, with Lady Mary
and Miſs Otley, were coming to town the
next evening.
Delamere, the tumult of whoſe ſpirits.
was too great immediately to fubfide, took,
for the firſt tiine in his life, fome pains to
conquer their violence, in confideration of
Emmeline.
He ſent his ſervants to Berkley ſquare,
to enquire among the domeſtics what had.
paſſed.. He thence learned that his father
I had