He then hurried the discourse to some other topic; being unwilling to answer any other questions that related either to his sister or her friend. But Delamere, whose wounds bled afresh at the name of Emmeline, and who could not resist enquiring after her of a person who had so lately seen her, took the earliest opportunity of seeking Godolphin to renew this discourse. They met therefore the following morning in the breakfast parlour; and Delamere suddenly turning the conversation from the topics of the day, said--'You are, I find, acquainted with Miss Mowbray. You may perhaps know that she is not only a relation of mine, but that I _was_ particularly interested in whatever related to her.' Godolphin, whose heart fluttered so as almost to deprive him of speech, answered very gravely--'I have heard so from Mrs. Stafford.' 'Then you know, perhaps----But you are undoubtedly well acquainted with Colonel Fitz-Edward?' 'Certainly,' replied Godolphin. 'He was one of my most intimate friends.' 'Then, Sir,' cried Delamere, losing all temper, 'one of your most intimate friends is a villain!' Godolphin, shocked at an expression which gave him reason to apprehend Lady Adelina's story was known, answered with great emotion--'You will be so good, my Lord, as to explain that assertion; which, whatever may be it's truth, is very extraordinary when made thus abruptly to me.' 'You are a man of honour, Mr. Godolphin, and I will not conceal from you the cruel injuries I have sustained from Fitz-Edward, nor that I wait here only to have an opportunity of telling him that I bear them not tamely.' He then related, in terms equally warm and bitter, the supposed alienation of Emmeline's affections by the artifices of Fitz-Edward, enumerated all the imaginary proofs with which the invidious artifices of the Crofts' had furnished him, and concluded by asserting, that he had himself seen, in the arms of Emmeline, a living witness of her ruin, and the perfidy of his faithless friend. To this detail, including as it did the real history of his sister under the false colours in which the Crofts' had drest it to mislead Delamere and destroy Emmeline, Godolphin listened with sensations impossible to be described. He could not hear without horror the character of Emmeline thus cruelly blasted; yet her vindication he could not undertake without revealing to a stranger the unhappy story of Lady Adelina, which he had with infinite difficulty concealed even from his own family. The fiery and impatient spirit of Delamere blazing forth in menace and invective, gave Godolphin time to collect his thoughts; and he almost immediately determined, whatever it cost him, to clear up the reputation of Emmeline.