ABSTRACT
The shock that Lady Torrendale’s spirits had received from the recent scene at Sir Harold Melbourne’s, was such that she declared it absolutely impossible she should ever completely recover while she remained in that neighbourhood. Lord and Lady Strathallan were invited to spend a week at Lady Lyndhurst’s, after which they were to proceed on a visiting tour to several friends. This scheme would fill up the time till the period returned for enjoying the pleasures of London; but as Lady Torrendale was not included in it, she got her physician to prescribe Cheltenham as absolutely necessary to restore her shattered / nerves to their tone. Matilda rather rejoiced in the departure of Strathallan and his bride, as withdrawing from her sight, an object, that was in danger sometimes of exciting recollections, painful, if not fatal to her peace. She had promoted their happiness as much as was in her power, and did not fear that the newly implanted taste for benevolence which she had encouraged in the bosom of Lady Strathallan should wither amid scenes that might present so many more objects worthy of real compassion. One dear remembrance she wished to keep of both. Emily, even if she had not been the sister of Strathallan, would have always been a favorite with her; but this partiality was greatly increased by the pity and interest with which she had lately inspired her.
