 authority of her family; and that almost in despite
of herself, he might lose her for ever. While he yet lingered, and
continued to promise that he would go to the Isle of Wight, the eight
first days of their stay in town glided away. Early in the morning of
the ninth, Godolphin entered the room where Mrs. Stafford and Emmeline
were at breakfast.

'I must now indeed,' said he, 'lose no time in going to Adelina. I am to
day informed that Mr. Trelawny is dead.'

'Shall we then see Lady Adelina in town?' eagerly asked Emmeline, who
could not affect any concern at the death of such a man.

'I apprehend not,' replied Godolphin. 'Whatever business there may be to
settle with the Bancrafts, I am sure will be more proper for me than for
her. To them I must now go, at Putney; and only came to inform you,
Madam,' addressing himself to Mrs. Stafford, 'of the reason of my sudden
absence.'

'Shall you return again to London, Sir, before you proceed into
Hampshire?'

'Not unless you or Miss Mowbray will allow me to suppose that to either
of you my return may be in any way serviceable.'

Mrs. Stafford assured him she had nothing to trouble him upon which
required such immediate attention. Emmeline then attempted to make an
answer of the same kind. But tho' she had for some days wished him to
go, she could not see him on the point of departing without being
sensible of the anguish his absence would occasion her; and instead of
speaking distinctly her thanks, she only murmured something, and was so
near bursting into tears, that fearing to expose herself, she was
hurrying out of the room.

'No message--no letter--not one kind word,' said he, gently detaining
her, 'to poor Adelina? Nothing to your little _protegé_?'

'My--love to them both, Sir?'

'And will you not write to my sister?'

'By the post,' said Emmeline, struggling to get from him to conceal her
emotion.

He then kissed her hand, and suffered her to go. While the explanation
Mrs. Stafford gave of her real feelings, elated him to rapture, in which
he departed, protesting that nothing should prevent his return, to
follow the good fortune which he now believed might be his, as soon as
he could adjust his sister's business with her husband's relations.

Mrs.
