 for any
expressions that might have given her offence; and at length threw into
his manner a composure that elated Delamere to a degree of hope hitherto
unfelt. He fancied that his father, weary of hopeless opposition, and
convinced of the merit of Emmeline, would consent to his marriage: and
his quick spirit seizing with avidity on an idea so flattering,
converted into a confirmation of it, all Lord Montreville's discourse
for the remainder of the visit: in which, by dissimulation 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; and Lord Montreville having
determined 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 interrupting 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 desired, that after that evening
Delamere 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 relaxing in his
determination, had openly renewed his addresses; and that Emmeline
seemed much less disposed to sacrifice his wishes to those of his
family, than he had yet found her.

Sir Richard, himself wholly insensible to the feelings of a father,
discouraged in Lord Montreville every tendency to forgive or indulge
this indiscreet passion. And equally incapable of the generous
sentiments of a gentleman towards a woman, young, helpless, dependant,
and unfortunate, he tried to harden the heart of Lord Montreville
against his orphan niece, and advised him peremptorily to insist on her
marrying Rochely immediately, or, as the alternative, to declare to her
that from the moment of her refusal she must expect from him neither
support or countenance.

This threat on one hand, and the affluence offered her by Rochely on the
other, must, he thought, oblige her to embrace his proposals. The
greatest difficulty seemed to be, to prevent Delamere's impetuosity from
snatching her at once out of the power of his father, by an elopement;
to which, if she preferred him to Rochely, it was very probable she
might be driven by harsh measures to
