He wore a look of great concern; and laid down his hat as he came in, without seeming to know what he did.
'Have you seen Mr. Delamere, Sir?' said Emmeline.
'Seen him!' answered he; 'I have seen him; but to no manner of purpose; his intellects are certainly deranged; he raves like a madman, and absolutely refuses to leave the place till he has spoken to you.'
'Why will he not come in, then?' said Emmeline.
'Because,' said Fitz-Edward, 'Rochely is here, who will relate it to that meddling fellow, Sir Richard Crofts, and by that means it will get to his father. I said every thing likely to prevail on him to be more calm; but he will hear nothing. I know not what to do,' continued he, rising, and walking about the room. 'I am convinced he has something in his head of fatal consequence to himself. He protests he will stay all night where he is. In short, he is in an absolute frenzy with the idea of Rochely's success and his own despair.'
'You frighten me to death,' said Emmeline. 'Tell me, colonel, what ought I to do?'
'Go to him,' returned Fitz-Edward; 'speak to him only a moment, and I am persuaded he will be calm. I will go with you; and then there can be nothing wrong in it.'
'I will go, then,' said she, rising and giving Fitz-Edward her hand, which trembled extremely.
'But it is very cold,' remarked he: 'had not you better take a cloak?'
'There is my long pelisse in the back parlour,' answered she.