at
the watering-place to which Mrs Rainscourt might remove for change of
scene; and for nearly five years from the time when he first paid a
visit to his once neglected wife, did he continue to press his suit.
The fact was, that, so far from tiring, his anxiety to effect the
reunion was constantly on the increase, from the general admiration
which was bestowed upon Emily when she made her appearance in public;
and Rainscourt felt that his house would be more resorted to, and his
company be more courted, if he could have under his immediate protection
one who had beauty sufficient to satisfy the most fastidious, and a
certainty of ultimate wealth, exceeding the views of the most
interested.

It was two years, or more, after the departure of Seymour, that Mrs
Rainscourt and Emily determined upon passing the autumnal months at
Cheltenham, accompanied by the McElvinas. A few days after their
arrival, Mr Rainscourt made his appearance. He was now determined, if
possible, to bring his suit to an issue. Some months back, he had
formed the plan which he thought most likely to succeed. This was to
repair and refurnish the castle in Galway, and persuade Mrs Rainscourt
to pass a few weeks there--when he hoped that, having her in a more
isolated position, she might be induced to accede to his wishes.
Workmen had been employed for some time repairing the exterior of the
ancient pile--the interior had been embellished under the guidance of a
man of taste, and without any regard to expense. Splendid furniture had
already been forwarded from London; so that Mr Rainscourt's agent had
written to him that in a few weeks the castle would be ready for his
reception.

Upon his arrival at Cheltenham, Mr Rainscourt astonished everybody by
his splendid equipage. His carriages, his stud, and the whole of his
establishment, were quite unique. On the other hand, Mrs Rainscourt
and her daughter were equally objects of curiosity, not likely to pass
unnoticed in such a place as Cheltenham, where people have nothing else
to do but talk scandal, and to drink salt water as a punishment.

The arrival of a pretty heiress increased very much the flow of bile in
the young ladies, and in their mammas, who did not bring them to
Cheltenham merely to drink the waters. The gentlemen, moreover, did not
admire being so totally eclipsed by Mr Rainscourt, who rendered
insignificant what, previous to his appearance, had been considered "to
be quite the th