 Montreville; 'whose
present state of health,' said he, 'makes her incapable of leaving her
room, and for whose life the most serious apprehensions are entertained
by her physicians.'

Emmeline, thus reassured by Lord Westhaven on that subject, and
extremely glad to hear there would be no necessity for proceedings at
law against her uncle, returned with some chearfulness to the company;
where it was not encreased by the entrance of Lord Delamere, which
happened soon afterwards.

The very ill state of health indicated by his appearance, extremely hurt
her. Nor was she less affected by his address to her, so expressive of
the deepest anguish and regret. She could not bear to receive him with
haughtiness and coldness; but mildly, and with smiles, returned the
questions he put to her on common subjects. His chagrin seemed to wear
off; and hope, which Emmeline as little wished to give, again reanimated
in some degree his melancholy countenance.

The next day, and again the next, he came to Lord Westhaven's; but
Emmeline cautiously avoided any conversation with him to which the whole
company were not witnesses. Godolphin too was there: her behaviour to
him was the same; and she would suffer neither to treat her with any
degree of particularity. Godolphin, who knew her reason for being
reserved towards _him_, was content; and Delamere, who suspected not how
dangerous a rival he had, was compelled to remain on the footing only of
a relation; still hoping that time and perseverance might restore him to
the happiness he had lost.

Monday now arrived, and Emmeline was to wait on her uncle in
Berkley-square. At twelve o'clock Lord Westhaven was ready. Emmeline was
led by him into the coach. They took up Mr. Newton in Lincolns-inn; and
then went to their rendezvous. Emmeline trembled as Lord Westhaven took
her up stairs: she remembered the terror she had once before suffered in
the same house; and when she entered the drawing-room, could hardly
support herself.

The Marquis, Sir Richard Crofts, his eldest son, and Lord Delamere, with
two stewards and a lawyer, were already there. Lord Montreville coldly
and gravely returned his niece's compliments; Sir Richard malignantly
eyed her from the corners of his eyes, obscured by fat; and Crofts put
on a look of pompous sagacity and consequential knowledge; while Lord
Delamere, who would willingly have parted with the whole of his paternal
fortune rather than with her, seemed eager only to see a business
concluded by which she was to receive benefit.

The lawyer in a
