ants of one
whom she found in such a house as Mrs. Villars's? She never will. She
mentioned her imprudent engagement to meet you, but she is now warned
against the folly of such confidence.

"You have told me plausible stories of yourself and of this Clemenza. I
cannot say that I disbelieve them, but I know the ways of the world too
well to bestow implicit faith so easily. You are an extraordinary young
man. You may possibly be honest. Such a one as you, with your education
and address, may possibly have passed all your life in a hovel; but it
is scarcely credible, let me tell you. I believe most of the facts
respecting my nephew, because my knowledge of him before his flight
would enable me to detect your falsehood; but there must be other proofs
besides an innocent brow and a voluble tongue, to make me give full
credit to your pretensions.

"I have no claim upon Welbeck which can embarrass you. On that score,
you are free from any molestation from me or my friends. I have
suspected you of being an accomplice in some vile plot, and am now
inclined to acquit you; but that is all that you must expect from me,
till your character be established by other means than your own
assertions. I am engaged at present, and must therefore request you to
put an end to your visit."

This strain was much unlike the strain which preceded it. I imagined, by
the mildness of her tone and manners, that her unfavourable
prepossessions were removed; but they seemed to have suddenly regained
their pristine force. I was somewhat disconcerted by this unexpected
change. I stood for a minute silent and irresolute.

Just then a knock was heard at the door, and presently entered that very
female whom I had met with at Villars's. I caught her figure as I
glanced through the window. Mrs. Wentworth darted at me many significant
glances, which commanded me to withdraw; but, with this object in view,
it was impossible.

As soon as she entered, her eyes were fixed upon me. Certain
recollections naturally occurred at that moment, and made her cheeks
glow. Some confusion reigned for a moment, but was quickly dissipated.
She did not notice me, but exchanged salutations with her friend.

All this while I stood near the window, in a situation not a little
painful. Certain tremors which I had not been accustomed to feel, and
which seemed to possess a mystical relation to the visitant, disabled me
at once from taking my leave, or from performing any usefu