
were less occasioned by her affected blindness to his own perfections,
than by her prepossession in favour of another.

Whatever internal displeasure this idea of rivalry gave the Chevalier,
he overwhelmed Godolphin with professions of regard and esteem, not the
less warm for being wholly insincere.

But Godolphin, who saw, in the encreasing dejection of Emmeline, only a
confirmation of her attachment to Delamere, drooped in hopeless
despondence. Emmeline, unable to support herself, retired early to her
room; and Godolphin, complaining of fatigue, was conducted to his by
Bellozane; while Lord Westhaven meditated how to disclose to his wife,
without too much distressing her, the illness of her brother. He
thought, that as she had suffered a good deal of vexation in the course
of the day, as well as terror at Emmeline's absence at so late an hour
in the evening, he would defer till the next morning this unwelcome
intelligence. As soon, however, as she was retired, he communicated to
his uncle and aunt the situation of Lord Delamere, and the necessity
there was for their quitting St. Alpin the next day, to attend him; an
account which they both heard with sincere regret. Mrs. St. Alpin
heartily wished Lord Delamere was with _her_, being persuaded she could
immediately cure him with remedies of her own preparing; while the Baron
expressed his vexation and regret to find the visit of his nephews so
much shortened.

Lord Westhaven went to his own apartment in great uneasiness. He heard
from his brother, that Lord Delamere, repenting of his renunciation of
Emmeline, was coming to St. Alpin, when illness stopped him at Besançon.
He knew not how to act about her; who, heiress to a large fortune, was
of so much more consequence than she had been hitherto supposed. He had
a long contention in view with Lord Montreville; and was now likely to
be embarrassed with the passion of Delamere, if he recovered, (who would
certainly expect his influence over Emmeline to be exerted to obtain his
pardon); or if the event of his illness should prove fatal, he dreaded
the anguish of Lady Westhaven and the despair of the whole family.

He was besides hurt at that melancholy and unhappy appearance, so unlike
his former manners, which he had observed in Godolphin; and for which,
ignorant of his passion for Emmeline, he knew not how to account. His
short conversation with him had cleared up no part of the mystery which
he could not but perceive hung about the affairs of Lady Adelina; and he
only knew enough to discover that something remained which it
