. She seemed altogether
unwilling to speak of the contents of the letter; but assured Emmeline
that she was very well able to undertake the journey her brother
proposed, and she believed it would be rather useful than prejudicial to
her. 'As to the letter,' added she, with a deep sigh, 'it will not for
some days be in my power to answer it.'

Every thing was, by the diligence of Godolphin, soon prepared for their
departure. Lady Adelina, her little boy, Emmeline and Godolphin,
attended by their servants, went the same evening to Southampton; from
whence they began their journey the next day; and resting one night at
Farnham, arrived early on the following at the house Lord Westhaven had
taken in Grosvenor street.







The transports with which Lord Westhaven received his sister, were
considerably checked by her melancholy air and faded form. The beauty
and vivacity which she possessed when he last saw her, were quite gone,
tho' she was now only in her twenty second year; and tears and sighs
were the only language by which she could express the pleasure she felt
at again seeing him. Imputing, however, this dejection entirely to her
late unfortunate marriage, his Lordship expressed rather sorrow than
wonder. He admired the little boy, whom he believed to be the son of
Godolphin; and he met Emmeline with that unreserved and generous
kindness he had ever shewn her.

Lady Westhaven, with the truest pleasure, again embraced the friend of
her heart; and with delight Emmeline met her; but it was soon abated by
the sanguine hopes she expressed that nothing would now long delay the
happiness of Lord Delamere.

'My Emmeline,' said she, 'will now be indeed my sister! Lord Montreville
and my mother can no longer oppose a marriage so extremely advantageous
to their son. _She_ will forgive them for their long blindness; and
pardoning poor Delamere for the involuntary error into which he was
forced, will constitute the happiness of him and of his family.'

To this, Emmeline could only answer that she had not the least intention
of marrying. Lady Westhaven laughed at that assertion. And she foresaw a
persecution preparing for her, on behalf of Delamere, which was likely
to give her greater uneasiness than she had yet suffered from any event
of her life.

Lord Westhaven, as soon as they grew a little composed, took an
opportunity of leaving the rest of the party; and went into his dressing
room, where he sent for Emmeline.

'Well, my lovely cousin,' said he, when she was seated, 'I have
