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The action of leaving her house, whether quietly or forcibly, could not but instantly authenticate the reports spread by the Egglestons of her er would be folly, and Mr Delvile's rage at such intelligence reater to hear it by chance than from herself She now lamented that Delvile had not at once told the tale, but, little foreseeing such a discovery as the present, they had mutually concluded to defer the coer at the contemptuous ill treatment she had repeatedly met from him, she was now content not merely to suppress but to dismiss, since, as the wife of his son without his consent, she considered herself no longer as wholly innocent of incurring it Yet, such was her dread of his austerity and the arrogance of his reproaches, that, by choice, she would have preferred an habitation with her own pensioner, the pew-opener, to the grandest apartment in Delvile Castle while he continued its lord

In her present situation, however, her choice was little to be consulted: the honour of Delvile was concerned in her escaping even teratify him, as any attention from her to his father She wrote to hi letter, which she sent by an express

To the Hon Compton Delvile

April 29th, 1780

SIR,--I should not, even by letter, presume thus to force myself upon your remembrance, did I not think it a duty I noe your son, both to risk and to bear the displeasure it ment, all other confession would be superfluous; and uncertain as I an to own me, more words than are necessary would be merely impertinent

It was the intention of your son, Sir, when he left the kingdom, to submit wholly to your arbitration, at his return, which should be resigned, his own name or my fortune: but his request for your decision, and his supplication for your forgiveness, are both, most unfortunately, prevented, by a premature and unforeseen discovery of our situation, which renders an immediate determination absolutely unavoidable

At this distance from him, I cannot, in time, receive his directions upon themy reference to him will not be more implicit than his own to you, I venture, in the present important crisis of my affairs, to entreat those couided ultimately

I would co your resentment I will detain you, therefore, only to add, that the father of Mr Mortimer Delvile, will ever meet the most profound respect fron no na herself his most humble, and most obedient servant