"you knew the pleasure it would give me once more to see
you surrounded with every luxury, in the place where we formerly resided
in poverty--if you knew the joy which your presence would diffuse among
your affectionate tenants, and the anxiety with which they are expecting
your appearance,--for I must acknowledge that I promised them that you
should gladden them with your return,--you would not refuse the request
I have made."

But Rainscourt had not calculated well. If there was any spot of which
the reminiscences were peculiarly painful to his wife, it was the castle
in Galway. It was there that she had been treated with severity and
contempt--it was there that she had been cruelly deserted by her
husband, when he was restored to affluence. With the bitter feelings
attendant upon these recollections, Mrs Rainscourt penetrated into the
motives which had induced her husband to act, and the balance was more
than ever against his cause. "If you have fitted up the castle to
oblige me, Mr Rainscourt, I return you my grateful thanks for your
kindness and consideration; but I do not think that I could enter the
castle with pleasure; there are so many more painful than agreeable
remembrances connected with it, that I had rather decline going there--
the more so as I consider it too secluded for Emily."

"But not too secluded, Mrs Rainscourt," replied her husband, dropping
on one knee, "for me to beseech pardon for my errors, and prove the
sincerity of my repentance. Let me conjure you to allow it to be the
scene of the renewal of my love and my admiration, as it unfortunately
was of my folly and indifference."

"Mr Rainscourt, this interview must be decisive. Know, once for all,
that such a reconciliation as you would desire never can or shall take
place. Spare me the pain of recapitulation. It is enough to say that,
once thrown from you, I cannot nor will not be resumed at your pleasure
and fantasy. Although injured in the tenderest point, I forgive all
that has passed, and shall be happy to receive you as a friend, in
private as well as in public; but all attempts to obtain more will only
meet with mortification and defeat. Rise, Mr Rainscourt; take my hand
in friendship--it is offered with cordiality; but if you again resume
the subject of this meeting, I shall be forced to deny myself to you
when you call."

Rainscourt turned pale as he complied with her request. He had
humiliated himself to no purpose. Mo