Emmeline, the Orphan of the CastleSmith, Charlotte
General
Emmeline, the Orphan of the Castle
Smith, Charlotte
Gothic fiction; Great Britain -- Social life and customs -- 18th century -- Fiction; Marriage -- Fiction; Single women -- Fiction
It remained to be considered how she could be conveyed from Mowbray
Castle without the knowledge of Delamere. She was herself ignorant of
every thing beyond its walls, and could therefore be of no use in the
consultation. His Lordship had, however, entrusted Fitz-Edward with his
uneasiness about Delamere; at which the former only laughed; and said he
by no means believed that any serious consequences were to be
apprehended: that it was mere badinage; of which he was sure Delamere
would think no more after they left Mowbray Castle; and that it was not
a matter which his Lordship should allow to make him uneasy.
Lord Montreville however, who thought he could not too soon remedy his
own indiscretion in introducing Emmeline to his son, determined to
embrace the opportunity of putting an end to any future correspondence
between them: he therefore insisted on a promise of secresy from
Fitz-Edward; and had recourse to Headly, who from a frequent residence
among the great was the most accommodating and obsequious of their
servants.
As he was about to leave the castle in a few days, he offered his
services to convey Miss Mowbray from thence, in a chaise of which he was
master. This proposal was eagerly accepted by Lord Montreville. And
enjoining Mr. Headly also to secresy, it was fixed that their journey
should begin the next morning save one.
Emmeline had notice of this arrangement, which she received with the
liveliest joy. She immediately set about such preparations as were
necessary for her journey, in which she employed that and the remaining
day; which had been destined by Lord Montreville to visit another estate
that he possessed, at the distance of about twelve miles; whither
Delamere and the whole party accompanied him.
Delamere had discovered, by his servants, that to remove Emmeline was in
agitation; and he determined to see her again in spite of his father's
precaution (which in fact only served to encrease his desire of
declaring his sentiments); but he had no idea that she was to depart so
soon, and therefore was content to go with his father, at his particular
request.
It was late in the evening preceding that on which Emmeline was to leave
the castle, before they returned to it; and she was still busied in
providing for her journey; in doing which, she was obliged to open one
of the caskets left her by Mrs. Carey. It contained miniatures of her
father and her mother, which had been drawn at Paris before her birth;
and several letters written by Mrs. Mowbray, her grandmother, to her
mother, in consequence of the fatal step she had taken in quitting the
protection of that lady, who had brought her up, to accompany Mr.
Mowbray abroad.
These, Emmeline had never yet seen; nor had she now courage entirely to
peruse them. The little she read, however, filled her heart with the
most painful sensations and her eyes with tears.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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