CHAPTER VIII.
Nothing could be further from Mr.Tyrrel's intention than to suffer his project to be thus terminated.

No sooner was he freed from the fear of his housekeeper's interference, than he changed the whole system of his conduct.

He ordered Miss Melville to be closely confined to her apartment, and deprived of all means of communicating her situation to any one out of his own house.

He placed over her a female servant, in whose discretion he could confide, and who, having formerly been honoured with the amorous notices of the squire, considered the distinctions that were paid to Emily at Tyrrel Place as an usurpation upon her more reasonable claims.

The squire himself did every thing in his power to blast the young lady's reputation, and represented to his attendants these precautions as necessary, to prevent her from eloping to his neighbour, and plunging herself in total ruin.
As soon as Miss Melville had been twenty-four hours in durance, and there was some reason to suppose that her spirit might be subdued to the emergency of her situation, Mr.Tyrrel thought proper to go to her, to explain the grounds of her present treatment, and acquaint her with the only means by which she could hope for a change.