The two footmen followed her to the door; but contented themselves with looking after her, without attempting to stop her.
'She is pretty enough, however,' said one to the other, 'to excuse our young Lord.'
'The devil's in't if she is not,' answered the other.
Emmeline heard this; and between vexation at their impertinence, and fear of their following her, she found her whole strength again forsake her.
She walked on however towards Charles-Street, looking round for Mrs. Ashwood's carriage, but could not see it. She was totally unacquainted with the streets, where she had never been on foot before; but recollected that she might get an hackney-coach, which was the more necessary, as snow was falling fast, and her muslin cloaths were already wet almost through.
She was picking her way, still in some hopes of seeing the carriage, when an hackney-coach passed empty. Emmeline looked wishfully towards it. The man stopped, and asked if she wanted a coach? She answered yes, as eagerly as if she had been afraid of a disappointment; and hurrying into it, told the man to drive to Clapham.
Just as he was mounting the box, another hack passed, and a young officer who was in it looked earnestly into that where Emmeline sat; then calling to his driver to stop, he leaped out, and Emmeline saw Fitz-Edward at the door of her coach.
'Miss Mowbray!' said he—'Is it possible! alone and in this equipage, in Berkley-Square! Where is Delamere?'
Before Emmeline had time to answer him he had opened the coach door.
'It snows too much,' said he, 'for a comfortable conference, unless you will give me leave to sit by you; where are you going to?'