The room door opened—Delamere and Emmeline appeared at it.
'Draw up, postillions, as close as you can,' cried the waiter.
Delamere, holding Emmeline's hand, advanced; but on seeing Elkerton, she stepped back into the room.
'Come, come,' said Delamere—'never concern yourself about that impertinent fellow.'
Elkerton, tho' he did not distinctly hear this speech, had caught a view of the person to whom it was addressed; and tho' her face was concealed, her height and air convinced him it was Miss Mowbray.
'How do you, Madam?' exclaimed he, bowing and advancing—'Miss Mowbray, I hope I have the happiness of seeing you well.'
'We are in haste, Sir,' said Delamere, leading Emmeline towards the chaise.
'Nay, my good friend,' returned Elkerton, 'allow me I beg to pay my respects to this lady, with whom I have the honour of being acquainted—Miss Mowbray, permit me—— '
He would have taken the hand which was disengaged; but Emmeline shrunk from him, and stepped quickly into the chaise.
Elkerton still advanced, and leaning almost into it, he said—'Your long journey, I hope, has not too much fatigued you.'