My coming down interrupted a _tête-à-tête_ between his Lordship and Edmund. The latter withdrew soon after I entered;--_it look'd some-how as if designed;--it vexed me_;--mean it how he would, _it much_ disconcerted me:--I _hate_, I _despise_ the least appearance of design.--In vain did I attempt to bring him back; he only answer'd he would be with us instantly. I was no sooner seated, than his Lordship placed himself by me; and fetching a deep sigh, said, I wish it was in my power to oblige Miss Warley as much as it is in hers to oblige me.-- My Lord, I cannot conceive how I have it in my power to oblige you. He took my hand,--Yes, Madam, to make _me_ happy,--for ever happy,--to make _Sir James_ and _Lady Powis happy_, you have only to determine not to quit your native country. Stop! my Lord, if you mean my going to _Montpellier_, I am determin'd.--And are you _really_ determin'd, Miss Warley?--his face overspread with a dreadful paleness. I am, my Lord, But what are you determin'd? Are you determined to distress your friends? I wish not to distress my friends: nothing would give me so much pain; but I _must_ go;--indeed I _must_. He rose up;--walk'd about the room,--came back to his seat again, looking quite frantic,--Good God! why should that sex practise so many arts? He pray'd,--intreated,--left no argument untried. I cannot picture his countenance, when I declared myself resolved.--He caught both my hands, fixed his eyes stedfastly upon me. Then you are inflexible, Madam?--Nothing can move you to pity the most wretched of his sex.--Know you the person living that could prevail?--If you do,--say so;--I will bring him instantly on his knees. There is not in the world, my Lord, one who could prevent me from paying my _duty_, my _affection_, my _obedience_, to Lady Mary Sutton: if due to a parent, how much more from me to _Lady Mary_;--a poor orphan, who have experienced from her the most maternal fondness? The word _orphan_ struck him; he reeled from me and flung himself into a chair opposite, leaning his head on a table which stood near. I declare he distress'd me greatly;--I know not what my thoughts were at that moment;--I rose to quit the room; he started up. Don't leave me, Miss Warley;--don't leave me. I _will_ keep you no longer in the dark: I _must_ not suffer in your opinion,--be the consequence-- Here we were interrupted by Edmund.--I was sorry he just then entered;--I would have given the world to know what his Lordship was about to say. When we were in the coach, instead of explaining himself, he assumed rather a chearful air; and asked, if my time was fix'd for going to France? Not absolutely fix'd, my Lord; a month or two hence, perhaps. This I said, that he might not know exactly the time when I shall set out. _A month_ or _two!_ O! that will be just the thing, just as I could wish it.-- What does your Lordship mean?