ABSTRACT
The departure of the Earl of Delville’s family shortly succeeded that of Lord Belmour and his bride. Louisa extremely regretted the company of Lady Adelina, for whom she felt the sincerest attachment. During the illness of Mr. Howard, she had several times, accompanied by Miss Stanley, paid her a visit at the Manor House: her conversation was so mild and endearing, so free from/ every vestige of ill-nature, or narrow-minded pride, that she stole irresistibly on the a ections. Louisa felt her esteem every day increasing: ‘Walter Stanley,’ thought she, ‘must love so much goodness and virtue; he would not, I am convinced, sacri ce his a ections for the mere adventitious circumstance of riches and title: the noble independence of his character forbids me to entertain an idea so injurious to him. But when those advantages are rendered truly valuable by the possessor being blessed with every amiable quality that adorns human nature, and gives additional splendour to the lustre of a noble name, he cannot surely avoid returning the a ection of such a woman!’
