 the impending event to a degree that made her for a moment
incapable of reflection.

To be, however remotely, or however innocently, the cause of any man's
hazarding his life, was shocking to all her feelings. But to suppose
that Lord Montreville might be made by her means the most wretched of
human beings, by the loss of an only and beloved son, was an idea which
froze her blood.

Her regard for Delamere, which was the affection of a sister somewhat
heightened perhaps by his persevering preference of herself, her
friendship for Augusta, and her anxiety for the peace of his whole
family, added to her general tenderness of heart, all co-operated to
distress her on this occasion. As soon as she could recollect what was
best to be done, she sought Mr. Stafford, to whom she related what she
had heard, which the servant who had brought the intelligence repeated
before him.

Mr. Stafford, at Emmeline's earnest request, set out for the house of
Delamere, who had not that day been at Woodfield because he expected
Fitz-Edward. Mr. Stafford delivered to him a pressing entreaty from
Emmeline that he would forbear to meet Elkerton, or at least delay it
'till she could speak to him; but Delamere shewing Stafford the letter
he had received, desired him to go back and make Emmeline easy as well
as he could, since to comply with her request was entirely out of his
power. To the necessity of his meeting Elkerton, Stafford assented; and
returned home to relate the little success of his embassy, while the
terror and alarm of Emmeline were only encreased by his visit.

Such was her anxiety, that she would have gone herself to Tylehurst, if
Mrs. Stafford had not represented to her that it would be certainly
improper, and probably ineffectual.

She passed a sleepless night, tormenting herself with a thousand
imaginary modes of misery which might arise from the meeting of the next
day. But while she continued to form and reject projects for preventing
it, seven o'clock passed, and the _rencontre_ ended without bloodshed;
the cautious valour of Elkerton having been so loud, that a magistrate
who lived in the town, and who was well known to Lord Montreville, had
heard of it, and, with a party of constables, had followed Elkerton at
some distance. They concealed themselves, by the justice's order, in a
gravel-pit near the place of combat, and there saw the ground already
possessed by Delamere and Fitz-Edward.

The trembling challenger, with a face as pale as if
