ABSTRACT
Ethelinde, though totally unconscious of the purport of her uncle’s visit, was extremely hurt at the coolness of his manner towards both her brother and herself. The resemblance he bore to her father encreased the pain which his unkind conduct gave her; but this regret was converted into terror, when Chesterville, to whom Sir Edward, in the first agitation of his spirits, had rashly related the conversation he had held with him, appeared before her, in spite of Sir Edward’s remonstrance and entreaties; and with eyes flashing fire, and lips trembling with passion, swore he would that moment go to Lord Hawkhurst and insist on an apology for what he had dared to repeat after Mr. Maltravers. For some moments his rage rendered him so inarticulate and confused, that Ethelinde could not distinctly comprehend the offence of which he complained; but when Sir Edward found himself compelled to explain it, she saw at once all her apprehensions realized, and even exceeded; since the confusion which her brother’s application to her uncle must of necessity create, would, instead of stifling a report so injurious to her, more widely and rapidly spread it. Chesterville was, however, as deaf to her entreaties as to the remonstrances of Sir Edward, who insisted very warmly that his interposition was not only needless but improper. An injury received from so near a relation, a wound from an hand that should have been held out in friendship, seemed so insupportable to the fiery and vindictive spirit of Chesterville, that he obstinately adhered to his resolution of seeing Lord Hawkhurst immediately upon it; and all they could obtain of him was to let Montgomery, who had somewhat more influence on him than any other person, attend him.
