 the army; the younger son of
an Irish peer; and had contracted his loose morals by being thrown too
early into the world; for his heart was not originally bad.

With a very handsome person, he had the most insinuating manners, and an
address so truly that of a man of fashion, as immediately 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
conversation was, in the general commerce of the world, elegant and
attractive.

Delamere was very fond of his company; and Lord Montreville encouraged
the intimacy: 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 wish, the
gratification of which he expected to be denied: and if such a
disappointment happened, he gave way to an impetuosity of disposition
that 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 possessed many other good
qualities, but the defects of his education had obscured 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 fortunes of his own and his wife's families, as the
point where all his ambitious views would attain their consummation.

To watch over the conduct of this only son, seemed now to be the sole
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, Delamere had shewn no inclinations that seemed
inimical to his father's views; and Lord Montreville hoped that
