Strathallan was true to the promise he had given Matilda, to pursue to the utmost, the interest he felt persuaded he possessed in her heart. With her he had for the first time tasted the sweet satisfaction of inspiring a passion, in which he was himself alone the object; and the singular ingenuousness and openness of her character, was ever preparing for him a succession of new and delicate enjoyments, which he well knew how to appreciate. Still Matilda, supported and encouraged by Mrs. Melbourne, persisted in her positive rejection of his suit. ‘He believes it would ensure his happiness – he believes he could win over his family to his way of thinking,’ she said. ‘But if once you yielded, reason would soon tear away the veil, that passion now draws over every other interest. 'tis your high duty, my Matilda, to be the guardian over those interests, which he now despises and neglects; and the more he shews himself incapable of weighing them with your attractions, the more you should steadily refuse the sacrifice proposed by this generous young man.’

An ensuing short interview with Lady Torrendale, confirmed Matilda in her opinion of the justness of her mother's conclusion. Nothing could exceed her coldness when they returned her visit. Mrs. Melbourne was in no hurry to perform this necessary duty; observing that as she always made it a rule to return civilities exactly in the manner she received them, that call ‘might keep cool.’ On / arriving at Fitzroy-square, the sight of a very elegant landaulet at the door announced there were visitors within; they found her ladyship, who seemed hardly to have done breakfast, though it was past two o'clock, in very animated and apparently interesting conversation with her intimate friend, Mrs. Murray, the lady of the landaulet, who was of course entitled to twice the attention her other visitors could claim.