 saw in her countenance.

'You are ill, Emmeline?' said he, taking her hand.

'I am not quite well--I have a violent cold coming.'

'A cold?' eagerly answered Delamere, 'you have been crying--who was the
person who called on you yesterday?'

It was now in vain to attempt concealment if she had intended it.

'He did not tell me his name, for our conversation was very short; but
his servants told those of Mrs. Ashwood that his name is Sir Richard
Crofts.'

'And what business could Sir Richard Crofts possibly have with you?'

Emmeline related the conversation with great fidelity and without
comment.

Delamere had hardly patience to hear her out. He protested he would
immediately go to Sir Richard Crofts, and not only force him to
apologize for what had passed, but promise never again to interfere
between Lord Montreville and his family.

From executing this violent measure, Emmeline by earnest entreaty
diverted him. She had not yet recovered the shock given her by the
unwelcome interview of the preceding day; and though she had a very
excellent constitution, her sensibility of mind was so great, that when
she suffered any poignant uneasiness, it immediately affected her frame.
In the present state of her spirits, she could not hear Delamere's
vehement and passionate exclamations without tears; and when he saw how
much she was hurt, he commanded himself; spoke more calmly; and by a
rapid transition from rage to tenderness, he wept also, and bathed her
hands with his tears.

He was not without hopes that this last effort of Lord Montreville would
effect a change in his favour; and he pleaded again for an elopement
with the warmest eloquence of love.

But Emmeline, though she felt all the force of his arguments, had still
the courage to resist them; and all he could obtain from her was a
renewal of her former promise, neither to leave Mrs. Ashwood unknown to
him or to conceal the place of her residence; to consent to see him
wherever she should be, and positively to reject Mr. Rochely's offer.

In return, she expected from Delamere some concessions which nothing but
the sight of her uneasiness would have induced him to grant. At length
she persuaded him to promise that he would not insult Sir Richard
Crofts, or commit any other rashness which might irritate Lord
Montreville.

Nothing was a stronger proof of the deep root which his passion had
taken in his heart, than the influence Emmeline had obtained over his
ungovernable and violent spirit, hitherto unused to controul
