 he had
forgiven the part he took in regard to Emmeline on no other condition
than that he should go down to him, and give his Lordship an account of
his conduct) and that therefore he was less alarmed, tho' very much
hurried by the paragraph.

He had, however, gone to Elkerton's house, where he found him very
composedly receiving the enquiries of his friends, and where he insisted
on hearing exactly what had happened.

His Lordship immediately returned to his wife; but the convulsions had
arisen to so alarming an height, that she was no longer capable of
hearing him; and she had ever since continued to have, at very short
intervals, such dreadful fits, as had entirely contracted her left side,
and left very little hope of her recovery.

Delamere was extremely shocked at this account; and after waiting some
time, Fitz-Edward came to him, and told him that his father was
extremely angry, and absolutely refused to see him or hear his apology,
unless he would first give his honour that if Lady Montreville should
survive the illness his indiscreet rashness had brought upon her, he
would, as soon as she was out of danger, go abroad, and remain there
till he should obtain forgiveness for his past errors and leave to
return.

The heart of Delamere was accessible only by the avenues of affection
and kindness; compulsion and threats only made him more resolutely
persist in any favourite project. Sir Richard Crofts therefore, who had
advised this measure, shewed but little knowledge of his temper, and
never was more mistaken in his politics.

Delamere no sooner heard the message, than he knew with whom it
originated; and full of indignation at finding his father governed by a
man for whom he felt only aversion and contempt, he answered, with great
asperity--'That he came thither not to solicit any favour, but to see
his mother. That he would not be dictated to by the Crofts; but would
remain in town 'till he knew whether his mother desired to see him; and
be ready to wait on his father when he would vouchsafe to treat him as
his son.'

He then shook hands with Fitz-Edward, kissed his sister, and walked out
of the house, in spite of their united endeavours to detain him. All
they could obtain of him was his consent to go to Fitz-Edward's
lodgings, as he had none of his own ready; from whence he sent
constantly every hour to enquire after Lady Montreville.







Emmeline, in the mean time, remained in great uneasiness at Woodfield.
Delamere
