The earl had often heard Emily Moseley spoken of by his friends, and in their letters they frequently mentioned her name as connected with their pleasures and employments, and always with an affection Pendennyss thought exceeding that which they manifested for their son’s wife; and Mrs Ives, the evening before, to remove unpleasant thoughts, had given him a lively description of her person and character.  The earl’s curiosity had been a little excited to see this paragon of female beauty and virtue; and, unlike most curiosity on such subjects, he was agreeably disappointed by the examination.  He wished to know more, and made interest with the doctor to assist him to continue the incognito with which accident had favored him.

The doctor objected on the ground of principle, and the earl desisted; but the beauty of Emily, aided by her character, had made an impression not to be easily shaken off, and Pendennyss returned to the charge.

His former jealousies were awakened in proportion to his admiration; and, after some time, he threw himself on the mercy of the divine, by declaring his new motive, but without mentioning his parents.  The doctor pitied him, for he scanned his feelings thoroughly, and consented to keep silent, but laughingly declared it was bad enough for a divine to be accessory to, much less aiding in a deception; and that he knew if Emily and Mrs. Wilson learnt his imposition, he would lose ground in their favor by the discovery.

“Surely, George,” said the doctor with a laugh, “you don’t mean to marry the young lady as Mr. Denbigh?”

“Oh, no! it is too soon to think of marrying her at all,” replied the earl with a smile; “but, somehow, I should like to see what my reception in the world will be as plain Mr. Denbigh, unprovided for and unknown.”

“No doubt, my lord,” said the rector archly, “in proportion to your merits, very unfavorably indeed; but then your humility will be finally elevated by the occasional praises I have heard Mrs. Wilson lavish on your proper character of late.”

“I am much indebted to her partiality,” continued the earl mournfully; then throwing off his gloomy thoughts he added, “I wonder, my dear doctor, your goodness did not set her right in the latter particular.”

“Why, she has hardly given me an opportunity; delicacy and my own feelings have kept me very silent on the subject of your family to any of that connexion.  They think, I believe, I was a rector in Wales, instead of your father’s chaplain; and somehow,” continued the doctor, smiling on his wife, “the association with your late parents was so connected in my mind with my most romantic feelings, that although I have delighted in it, I have seldom alluded to it in conversation at all.  Mrs. Wilson has spoken of you but twice in my hearing, and that since she has expected to meet you; your name has doubtless recalled the remembrance of her husband.”

“I have many, many reasons to remember the general with gratitude,” cried the earl with fervor; “but doctor, do not forget my incognito:  only call me George; I ask no more.”