 changing her cloaths, trifling as the
exertion was, fatigued her so much, that Mr. Lawson on his return looked
very grave; and Delamere, who watched his looks as if his existence
depended upon his opinion, was wild with apprehension. The chaises (for
Delamere had ordered one for himself, that the ladies might suffer no
inconvenience by being crouded) were ready, and Lawson recollecting that
Emmeline would require a more quiet situation than an inn could afford,
told her that he had a sister at Hertford who would receive her with
pleasure, and accommodate her at her house as long as she would
stay--'And remember,' added he, 'that Lissy is to continue with you till
you leave Hertford.'

Emmeline, extremely sensible of all she owed to this excellent man,
could only sigh her thanks; and to shorten them, Mr. Lawson put her and
his daughter into the travelling chaise which Delamere had bought for
this expedition. Delamere followed in another; and between one and two
o'clock they arrived at Hertford, and were set down at the door of an
elegant house; where Mrs. Champness, the wife of a man of fortune,
received her niece with great affection; and having heard in another
room the history of the young lady she had with her, immediately gave
orders to have a bed-chamber prepared, and shewed the utmost solicitude
for her accommodation.

Delamere, seeing her so well situated for the night, and happy to find
she bore her short journey with less increase of fatigue than he
apprehended, consented at her request to leave her, and went to the inn,
where he dined, and soon afterwards returned to enquire after her.

Miss Lawson came down to him, and told him Miss Mowbray was in bed, and
had taken a medicine Mr. Lawson had sent to compose her; but that it was
yet impossible to say much of her situation. She told him he must by no
means attempt to see her for the remaining part of the day, and begged
he would himself try to take some repose: to which salutary advice
Delamere at length consented; his haggard looks and exhausted spirits
sufficiently testifying how much he wanted it.







The evening on which Emmeline had been so suddenly missing from the
house of Mrs. Ashwood, Rochely had left it in as much anguish as his
nature was capable of feeling.

He had not for many years so seriously thought of matrimony as since he
had seen Miss Mowbray. Her beauty first attracted him: the natural
civility of her manner was by him, who had frequently met only contempt
