 could not forbear pressing her to his heart, while in a deep
sigh he bade adieu to the happiness of being with her; for he concluded
she would not long remain single, and after she was married he
determined never more to trust himself with the dangerous pleasure of
beholding her.

He had never mentioned the name of Delamere; and knew not that he was
returned to England. Having once been assured of her engagement, he was
unable to enquire into the circumstances of what had destroyed his
happiness. He knew they were to be married in March, and that Delamere
had promised to remain on the Continent 'till that period. He doubted
not, therefore, but that Emmeline, in compliance with the entreaties of
her lover, had consented to accompany Mrs. Stafford to France, and by
her presence to charm away the months that yet intervened; after which
he supposed they would be immediately united.

Notwithstanding some remarks he had made on the interest she seemed to
take in regard to himself, he imputed it merely to her general
sensibility and to his relationship to Lady Adelina. He supposed that
Delamere possessed her heart; and tho' it was the only possession on
earth that would give him any chance of happiness, he envied this happy
lover without hating him. He could not blame him for loving her, who was
in his own opinion irresistible; nor for having used the opportunity his
good fortune had given him of winning her affections. The longer he
conversed with her, the more he was convinced that Delamere, in being as
he believed master of that heart, was the most fortunate of human
beings. But tho' he had not resolution enough to refuse himself the
melancholy yet pleasing gratification of contemplating perfections which
he thought could never be his, and tho' he could not help sometimes
betraying the fondness which that indulgence hourly encreased, he never
seriously meditated supplanting the happy Delamere. He did not think
that to attempt it was honourable; and his integrity would have
prevented the trial, had he supposed it possible to succeed.

Mrs. Stafford had at first seen with concern that Godolphin, whom she
sincerely esteemed, was nourishing for her friend a passion which could
only serve to make him unhappy. But she now saw it's progress rather
with pleasure than regret. She was piqued at the groundless jealousy and
rash injustice of Delamere towards Emmeline: and disappointed and
disgusted at Lord Montreville's conduct towards herself; sickening at
the little sincerity of the latter, and doubtful of the temper of the
former, she feared that if the alliance took place, her friend would
find less happiness
