The old cit, who had three half crowns depending, and who was a determined grumbler at cards, fell upon him without mercy; and said so many rude things, that Rochely could not help retorting; and it was with some difficulty Mrs. Ashwood prevented the grossest abuse being lavished from the enraged Rugby on the enamoured banker; who desiring to give his cards to Miss Galton, got up and ordered his carriage. Emmeline sat near the fire, with her handkerchief in her hand, which was yet wet with tears. Rochely, with a privilege he had been used to, and which Emmeline, from a man old enough to be her father, thought very inconsequential, took her hand and the handkerchief it held. 'So, Miss Mowbray,' said he, 'Mr. Delamere is your near relation?' 'Yes, Sir.' 'And he has brought you, I fear, some ill news of your family?' 'No, Sir,' sighed Emmeline. 'No death, I hope?' 'No, Sir.' 'Whence then, these tears?' Emmeline drew her hand away. 'What a strange young man this is, to make you cry. What has he been saying to you?' 'Nothing, Sir.' 'Ah! Miss Mowbray; such a lad as that is but an indifferent guardian; pray where does his father live?' Miss Mowbray, not aware of the purpose of this enquiry, and glad of any thing that looked like common conversation, answered 'at Audley Hall, in Norfolk; and in Berkley-Square.' Some other questions, which seemed of no consequence, Rochely asked, and Emmeline answered; 'till hearing his carriage was at the door, he went away. '_I_ don't like your Mr. Delamere at all, Miss Mowbray,' said Mrs. Ashwood, as soon as the game ended. 'I never saw a prouder, more disagreeable young man in my life.' Emmeline smiled faintly, and said she was sorry he did not please her. 'No, nor me neither,' said Miss Galton. 'Such haughtiness indeed!--yet I was glad he mortified that puppy Elkerton.' Emmeline, who found the two friends disposed to indulge their good nature at the expence of the company of the evening, complained of being fatigued, and asked for a glass of wine and water: which having drank, she retired to bed, leaving the lady of the house, who had invited Mr. Hanbury and his friend to supper, to enjoy more stories of Jonathan Huggins, and the pretty satyrical efforts of Miss Galton, who made her court most effectually by ridiculing and villifying all their acquaintance whenever it was in her power. CHAPTER XIV When Rochely got home, he set about examining the state of his heart exactly as he would have examined the check book of one of his customers. He found himself most miserably in love. But avarice said, Miss Mowbray had no fortune. By what had passed in his bosom that evening, he had discovered that he should be wretched to see her married to another. But avarice enquired how he could offer to marry a woman without a shilling?