In hopes of counteracting the fatal effects of the discovery which had unavoidably followed this interview, Godolphin was, on his return in the afternoon, introduced into the dining-room, which opened into Lady Adelina's bed-chamber. The door was a-jar; the partition thin; and Mrs. Stafford was pretty well assured that the poor patient would be heard distinctly. Godolphin came in, pale from the conflict of his mind; and all his features expressed anger and sorrow, with which he seemed vainly struggling. He bowed, and sat down in silence. Mrs. Stafford only was in the room; and as soon as he was seated, said, in a low voice, yet with forced chearfulness-- 'Well, Sir, I hope that Miss Mowbray and myself have prevailed on you to drop at present every other design than the truly generous one of healing the wounded heart of our fair unfortunate friend.' 'And shall he who has wounded it,' slowly and sternly replied Godolphin--'shall he who has wounded it so basely, escape me?' At this instant Lady Adelina, who had been some time silent, exclaimed hastily--'Oh! spare him! my dear brother! and spare your poor Adelina! who will not trouble--who will not disgrace you long!' 'Where is she?' said Godolphin, starting--'Good God! what is it I hear?' 'Your unhappy sister,' answered Mrs. Stafford; 'whom the idea of your determined vengeance has already driven to distraction.' Again Lady Adelina spoke. Her brother listened in breathless anguish. 'Ah! William!--and are _you_ grown cruel? You, on whom I depended for pity and protection?' 'Surely,' said he, 'surely she knows I am here?' 'No,' answered Mrs. Stafford, 'she knows nothing. But this fear has incessantly pursued her; and since she saw you she dwells more frequently on it, tho' her erring memory sometimes wanders to other objects.' 'It is very true, my Lord!' cried Lady Adelina, with affected calmness, her thoughts wavering again towards Lord Westhaven--'It is all very true! I have deserved all your reproaches! I am ready to make all the atonement I can! Then you will both of you, my brothers, be satisfied--for William has told me that if I died he should be content, for then all might be forgotten.' She ended with a deep sigh; and Godolphin, wildly starting from his seat, said-- 'This is too much! you cannot expect me to bear this!--let me go to her!' 'Would you go then,' answered Mrs. Stafford, 'to confirm her fears and to drive her to deeper desperation? If you see her, it must be to soothe and comfort her; to assure her of your forgiveness, and that you will bury your resentment against----'