. Lord Montreville will in that case give you a
fortune. I will hear no objection! I _will_ have the affair closed this
morning! I _will_ have it so!'

Lady Montreville, accustomed to undisputed power in her own family,
expected from every body an acquiescence as blind as she found from her
tradesmen and servants, who endured her ill-humour and gave way to her
caprices. But she forgot that Emmeline was equally unaccustomed to her
commands, and free from the necessity of obeying them. The gentlest and
mildest temper will revolt against insolence and oppression: and the
cruelty and unfeminine insults she had received, concluded by this
peremptory way of forcing her into a marriage from which her whole soul
recoiled, at length restored to her some portion of that proper spirit
and presence of mind which had been frightened from her. Conscious that
she deserved none of these ungenerous insults, and feeling herself
superior to her who could cruelly and wantonly inflict them, she
regained her courage.

'If your Ladyship has nothing more to say,' said she, rising, 'I shall
have the honour to wish you a good morning; for I believe Mrs. Ashwood
has been waiting for me some time.'

'Don't tell me of Mrs. Ashwood--but tell me where is my son? Where is
Delamere?'

'I know not,' answered Emmeline. 'I have already told my Lord
Montreville that I am entirely ignorant.'

'Nobody believes it!' said Miss Delamere.

'I am sorry for it,' replied Emmeline, coolly. 'If, however, I did know,
it is not such treatment, Madam, that should compel me to give any
information.' She then opened the door and walked down stairs. A footman
met her, whom she desired to enquire for Mrs. Ashwood's carriage. Before
the man could descend to obey her, a violent ringing was heard. The
footman said it was his Lady's bell, and ran up to answer it; while
Emmeline still descending, heard somebody softly calling her. She looked
up, and saw Augusta Delamere leaning over the bannisters; she put up her
finger as if to prevent Emmeline's speaking, threw her a letter, and
immediately disappeared.

The spirits of Emmeline were again greatly hurried by this transient
view of her friend. She put the letter hastily into her pocket, and was
got down into the hall, where she spoke to another footman to see for
her carriage; but the man whom she had met on the stairs, now came to
say his
