 received her with a degree of civility
almost oppressive: but Emmeline, who soon 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 memory of her former friend, was very
glad when after a few days the good woman returned with her usual
avidity to the regulation of her domestic matters, and suffered Emmeline
to enjoy that solitude 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 impression was less 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 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 solicit Emmeline to consent
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 soon 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 did so; and addressed it to her at Mrs. Watkins's, at Bridgenorth:
but soon after his arrival in town, the letter was returned to the place
from which it was dated; 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 accidental intelligence.

The family usually passed the Christmas recess at their seat in Norfolk;
whither Delamere, 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
