 to the charms of the elegant and
self-cultivated mind of Emmeline, her personal beauty had made a deep
impression on his heart; and he had formed a design of marrying her,
before the death of Mrs. Carey, to whom he had once or twice mentioned
something like a hint of his wishes: but she had received all his
discourse on that topic with so much coldness, and ever so carefully
avoided any conversation that might again lead to it, that he had been
deterred from entirely explaining himself. Now, however, he thought the
time was arrived, when he might make a more successful application; for
he never doubted but that Mrs. Garnet would obtain, over the tender and
ingenuous mind of Emmeline, an influence as great as had been possessed
by Mrs. Carey.

Nor did he apprehend that a friendless orphan, without fortune or
connections, would want much persuasion to marry a young man of handsome
figure (as he conceived himself to be,) who was established in a
profitable place, and had some dependance of his own.

The distance which Emmeline had always obliged him to observe, he
imputed to the timidity of her nature; which he hoped would be lessened
by the free and familiar manners of her present companion, whose
conversation was very unlike what she had before been accustomed to hear
from Mrs. Carey.

Impressed with these ideas, he paid his court most assiduously to the
housekeeper, who put down all his compliments to the account of her own
attractions; and was extremely pleased with her conquest; which she
exhausted all her eloquence and all her wardrobe to secure.







In this situation were the inhabitants of Mowbray Castle; when, in the
beginning of July, orders were received from Lord Montreville to set
workmen immediately about repairing the whole end of the castle which
was yet habitable; as his son, Mr. Delamere, intended to come down early
in the Autumn, to shoot, for some weeks, in Wales. His Lordship added,
that it was possible he might himself be there also for a few weeks; and
therefore directed several bed-chambers to be repaired, for which he
would send down furniture from London.

No time was lost in obeying these directions. Workmen were immediately
procured, and the utmost expedition used to put the place in a situation
to receive its master: while Emmeline, who foresaw that the arrival of
Lord Montreville would probably occasion some change in regard to
herself, and who thought that every change must be for the better,
beheld these preparations with pleasure.

All had been ready some weeks, and the time fixed for Mr
