 his father as if he had been still
there, imagined that he had prevented all probability of discovery.
Could he have persuaded Emmeline to a Scottish marriage, (which he very
firmly believed he should) he intended as soon as they were married, to
have taken her to the house of Lady Mary Otley, and to have presented
her to his father, his mother, his sisters, and Lady Mary and her
daughter, who were also his relations, as his wife.

Lord Montreville, on reading Mrs. Stafford's letter, shut himself up in
his own apartment to consider what was to be done.

He knew Delamere too well to believe that writing, or the agency of any
other person, would have on him the least effect.

He was convinced therefore he must go himself; yet to return
immediately, without giving Lady Montreville some very good reason, was
impossible; nor could he think of any that would content her, but the
truth. Though he would very willingly have concealed from her what had
happened, he was obliged to send for her, and communicate to her the
intelligence received from Mrs. Stafford.

Her Ladyship, whose pride was, if possible, more than adequate to her
high blood, and whose passions were as strong as her reason was feeble,
received this information with all those expressions of rage and
contempt which Lord Montreville had foreseen.

Though the conduct of Emmeline was such as all her prejudice could not
misunderstand, she loaded her with harsh and injurious appellations, and
blamed his Lordship for having fostered a little reptile, who was now
likely to disgrace and ruin the family to which she pretended to belong.
She protested, that if Delamere dared to harbour so degrading an idea as
that of marrying her, she would blot him for ever from her affection,
and if possible from her memory.

Lord Montreville was obliged to wait 'till the violence of her first
emotion had subsided, before he ventured to propose going himself to
recall Delamere. To this proposal, however, her Ladyship agreed; and
when she became a little cooler, consented readily to conceal, if
possible, from Lady Mary Otley, the reason of Lord Montreville's abrupt
departure, which was fixed for the next day; for the knowledge of it
could not have any good effect on the sentiments of Lady Mary and her
daughter; the former of whom was at present as anxious as Lady
Montreville for an union of their families.

After some farther reflection, Lord Montreville thought that as Delamere
was extremely fond of his youngest sister, her influence might be of
great use in detaching him
