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sions. "Depend upon it then," cried Sandford, "that her affections are engaged; and it is proper that you should know to whom." Dorriforth thought he did know, and mentioned Lord Frederick; but said that he had no farther authority for the supposition than what his observation had given him, for that every explanation both upon his and her side had been evaded. "Take her then," cried Sandford, "into the country, and if Lord Frederick should not follow, there is an end of your suspicions."-"I shall not easily prevail upon Miss Milner to leave town," replied he, "while it is in the highest fashion.”—“ You can but try," returned Sandford; "and if you should not succeed now, at least fix the time you mean to go during the autumn, and be firm to your determination." "But in autumn," replied Dorriforth, "Lord Frederick will of course be in the country; and as his uncle's estate is near our residence, he will not then so evidently follow her, as he would if I could induce her to go immediately."

It was agreed the attempt should be made. Instead of receiving this abrupt proposal with uneasiness, Miss Milner, to the surprise of all present, immediately consented; and gave her guardian an opportunity of saying several of the kindest and politest things upon her ready compliance.

"A token of approbation from you, Mr. Dorriforth," returned she, "I always considered with high estimation-but your commendations are now become infinitely superior in value by their scarcity; for I do not believe that since Miss Fenton and Mr. Sandford came to town, I have received one testimony of your esteem."

Had these words been uttered with pleasantry, they might have passed without observation; but at the conclusion of the period, resentment flew to Miss Milner's face, and she darted a piercing look at Mr. Sandford, which more pointedly expressed that she was angry with him, than if she had spoken volumns in her usual strain of raillery. Dorriforth was confused-but the concern which she had so plainly evinced for his good opinion, throughout all that she had been saying, silenced any rebuke he might else have given her, for this unwarrantable charge against his friend. Mrs. Horton was shocked at the irreverent manner in which Mr. Sandford was treated-and Miss Woodley turned to him with a benevolent smile upon her face, hoping to set him an example of the manner in which he should receive the reproach. Her good wishes did not succeed—yet he was perfectly unruffled, and replied with calmness,

"The air of the country has affected the lady already-but it is a comfortable thing," continued he, "that in the variety of humours to which some women are exposed, they cannot be uniform even in deceit."

"Deceit !" cried Miss Milner, "in what am I deceitful? did I ever pretend that I had an esteem for you?"

"That would not have been deceit, madam, but merely good manners."

"I never, Mr. Sandford, sacrificed truth to politeness."

"Except when the country has been proposed, and you thought it politeness to appear satisfied." "And I was satisfied, till I recollected that you might probably be of the party--then, every grove was changed into a wilderness, every rivulet into a stagnated pool, and every singing bird into a croaking raven."

"A very poetical description," returned he calmly. "But, Miss Milner, you need not have had any apprehensions of my company in the country, for I understand the seat to which your guardian means to go, belongs to you; and you may depend upon it, madam, that I will never enter a house in which you are the mistress."

"Nor any house, I am certain, Mr. Sandford, but in which you are yourself the master."

"What do you mean, madam? (and for the first time he elevated his voice,) am I the master here?"

"Your servants,” replied she, looking at the company, "will not tell you so, but I do."

"You condescend, Mr. Sandford, cried Mrs. Horton, "in talking so much to a young heedless woman; but I know you do it for her good."

"Well, Miss Milner," cried Dorriforth (and the most cutting thing he could say), "since I find my proposal of the country has put you out of humour, I shall mention it no more."

With all that quantity of resentment, anger, or rage, which sometimes boiled in the veins of Miss Milner, she was yet never wanting in that respect towards her guardian, which withheld her from ever uttering one angry sentence, directed immediately to him; and a severe word of his, instead of exasperating, was sure to subdue her. This was the case at present--his words wounded her to the heart, but she had not the asperity to reply to them as she thought they merited, and she burst into tears. Dorriforth, instead of being concerned, as he usually was at seeing her uneasy, appeared on the present occasion provoked. He thought her weeping was a new reproach to his friend Mr. Sandford; and that to suffer himself to be moved by it would be a tacit condem nation of his friend's conduct. She understood his thoughts, and, getting the better of her tears, apologized for her weakness; adding,

"She could never bear with indifference an unjust accusation."

"To prove that mine was unjust, madam," replied Dorriforth; "be prepared to quit London, without any marks of regret, within a few days."

She bowed assent; the necessary preparations were agreed upon; and while with apparent satisfaction she adjusted the plan of her journey (like those who behave well, not so much to please themselves as to vex their enemies), she secretly triumphed in the mortification she hoped

that Mr. Sandford would receive from her obedient behaviour.

The news of this intended journey was of course soon made public. There is a secret charm in being pitied, when the misfortune is but ideal; and Miss Milner found infinite gratification in being told, "That hers was a cruel case, and that it was unjust and barbarous to force so much beauty into concealment, while London was filled with her admirers; who, like her, would languish in consequence of her solitude." These things, and a thousand such, a thousand times repeated, she still listened to with pleasure; yet preserved the constancy not to shrink from her resolution of submitting.

Those involuntary sighs, however, that Miss Woodley had long ago observed, became still more frequent; and a tear half starting in her eye was an additional subject of her friend's observation. Yet though Miss Milner at those times was softened into melancholy, she by no means appeared unhappy. Her friend was acquainted with love only by name; yet she was confirmed from these increased symptoms, in what she before only suspected, that love must be the foundation of her care. "Her senses have been captivated by the person and accomplishments of Lord Frederick," said Miss Woodley to herself, "but her understanding compels her to see his faults, and reproaches her passion--And, oh!" cried she, "could her guardian and Mr. Sandford but know of this conflict, how much would they have to admire; how little to condemn !"

With such friendly thoughts, and with the purest intentions, Miss Woodley did not fail to give both gentlemen reason to believe a contention of this nature was the actual state of Miss Milner's mind. Dorriforth was affected at the description, and Sandford urged more than ever the necessity of leaving town.In a few days they departed: Mrs. Horton, Miss Woodley, Miss Milner, and Mr. Dorriforth, accompanied by Miss Fenton, whom Miss Milner, knowing it to be the wish of her guardian, invited, for three months before her marriage, to her country seat. Elmwood house, or rather castle, the seat of Lord Elmwood, was only a few miles distant from this residence, and he was expected to pass a great part of the summer there, with his tutor Mr. Sandford.

In the neighbourhood was also (as it has been already said) an estate belonging to an uncle of Lord Frederick's; and most of the party suspected they should soon see him on a visit there. To that expectation they in great measure attributed Miss Milner's visible content.

CHAPTER XI.

WITH this party Miss Milner arrived at her

country house, and, for near six weeks, all around was the picture of tranquillity; her satisfaction was as evident as every other person's; and all severe admonition being at this time unnecessary, either to exhort her to her duty, or to warn her against her folly, she was even in perfect good humour with Miss Fenton, and added friendship to hospitality.

Mr. Sandford, who came with Lord Elmwood to the neighbouring seat, about a week after the arrival of Miss Milner at hers, was so scrupulously exact in the observance of his word, "Never to enter a house of Miss Milner's," that he would not even call upon his friend Dorriforth there-but in their walks, and at Lord Elmwood's, the two parties, residing at the two houses, would occasionally join, and of course Sandford and she at those times met--yet so distant was the reserve on either side, that not a single word upon any occasion was ever exchanged between them.

Miss Milner did not like Mr. Sandford; yet as there was no cause of inveterate rancour, admiring him too as a man who meant well, and her being besides of a most forgiving temper, she frequently felt concerned that he did not speak to her, although it had been to find fault as usualand one morning as they were all, after a long ramble, drawing towards her house, where Lord Elmwood was invited to dine, she could not refrain from dropping a tear at seeing Sandford turn back and wish them a "Good day."

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But though she had the generosity to forgive an affront, she had not the humility to make a concession and she foresaw that nothing less than some very humble atonement on her part would prevail upon the haughty priest to be reconciled. Dorriforth saw her concern upon this last trifling occasion with a secret pleasure, and an admiration that she had never before excited. She once insinuated to him to be a mediator between them; but before any accommodation could take place, the peace and composure of their abode were disturbed by the arrival of Sir Edward Ashton at Lord Elmwood's, where it appeared as if he had been invited in order to pursue his matrimonial plan.

At a dinner given by Lord Elmwood, Sir Edward was announced as an unexpected visitor; Miss Milner did not suppose him such, and she turned pale when his name was uttered. Dorriforth fixed his eyes upon her with some tokens of compassion, while Sandford seemed to exult, and by his repeated "Welcomes" to the baronet gave proofs how much he was rejoiced to see him. All the declining enmity of Miss Milner was renewed at this behaviour, and suspecting Sandford as the instigator of the visit, she could not overcome her displeasure, but gave way to it in a manner which she thought the most mortifying. Sir Edward, in the course of conversation inquired" What neigh bours were in the country ;" and she, with an appearance of high satisfaction, named Lord Frederick Lawnley as being hourly expected at his

uncle's. The colour spread over Sir Edward's face-Dorriforth was confounded--And Mr. Sandford looked enraged.

"Did Lord Frederick tell you he should be down?" Sandford asked of Dorriforth.

To which he replied, "No."

"But I hope, Mr. Sandford, you will permit me to know," said Miss Milner. For as she now meant to torment him by what she said, she no longer constrained herself to silence-and as he harboured the same kind intention towards her, he had no longer any objection to make a reply, and therefore answered,

"No, madam, if it depend upon my permission, you shall not know."

"Not any thing, sir, I dare say;—you would keep me in utter ignorance."

"I would."

"From a self-interested motive, Mr. Sandford --that I might have a greater respect for you."

Some of the company laughed-Mrs. Horton coughed-Miss Woodley blushed-Lord Elmwood sneered-Dorriforth frowned-and Miss Fenton looked just as she did before.

The conversation was changed as soon as possible, and early in the evening the party from Milner Lodge returned home.

Miss Milner had scarcely left her dressing-room, where she had been taking off some part of her dress, when Dorriforth's servant came to acquaint her that his master was alone in his study, and begged to speak with her. She felt herself tremble-she immediately experienced a consciousness that she had not acted properly at Lord Elmwood's; for she felt a presentiment that her guardian was going to upbraid her, and her heart whispered that he had never yet reproached her without a cause.

Miss Woodley just then entered her apartment, and she found herself so much a coward as to propose that she should go with her, and aid her with a word or two occasionally in her excuse.

"What you, my dear," returned Miss Woodley, "who, not three hours ago, had the courage to vindicate your own cause before a whole company, of whom many were your adversaries; do you want an advocate before your guardian alone, who has ever treated you with tenderness!"

"It is that very tenderness which frightens me; which intimidates, and strikes me dumb. Is it possible I can return impertinence to the language and manners which Mr. Dorriforth uses? and as I am debarred from that resource, what can I do but stand before him like a guilty creature, acknowledging my faults."

She again entreated her friend to go with her; but on a positive refusal, from the impropriety of such an intrusion, she was obliged at length to go by herself.

How much does the difference of exterior circumstances influence not only the manners, but even the persons of some people !-Miss Milner

in Lord Elmwood's drawing-room, surrounded by listeners, by admirers (for even her enemies could not look at her without admiration), animated with approbation and applause-and Miss Milner, with no giddy observer to give her actions a false eclat, destitute of all but her own understanding (which secretly condemns her), upon the point of receiving censure from her guardian and friend, are two different beings. Though still beautiful beyond description, she does not look even in person the same. In the last-mentioned situation, she was shorter in stature than in the former-she was pale-she was thinnerand a very different contour presided over her whole air, and all her features.

When she arrived at the door of the study, she opened it with a trepidation she could hardly account for, and entered to Dorriforth the altered woman she has been represented. His heart had taken the most decided part against her, and his face had assumed the most severe aspect of reproach; but her appearance gave an instantaneous change to his whole mind and countenance.

She halted, as if she feared to approach--he hesitated, as if he knew not how to speak. Instead of the anger with which he was prepared to begin, his voice involuntarily softened, and, without knowing what he said, he began,

"My dear Miss Milner-"

She expected he was angry, and in her confusion his gentleness was lost upon her. She imagined that what he said might be censure, and she continued to tremble, though he repeatedly assured her, that he meant only to advise, not to upbraid her.

"For as to all those little disputes between Mr. Sandford and you," said he, "I should be partial if I blamed you more than him :—indeed, when you take the liberty to condemn him, his character makes the freedom appear in a more serious light than when he complains of you-and yet, if he provokes your retorts, he alone must answer for them; nor will I undertake to decide betwixt you.- -But I have a question to ask you, and to which I require a serious and unequivocal answer. Do you expect Lord Frederick in the country?"

Without hesitation she replied, "I do.”

"One more question I have to ask, madam, and to which I expect a reply equally unreserved. Is Lord Frederick the man you approve for your husband ?"

Upon this close interrogation, she discovered an embarrassment, beyond any she had ever yet betrayed, and faintly replied,

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"But then why encourage him to follow you hither, Miss Milner?"

"Why commit a thousand follies (she replied, in tears) every hour of my life?"

"You then promote the hopes of Lord Frederick without one serious intention of completing them? This is a conduct against which it is my duty to guard you, and you shall no longer deceive either him or yourself. The moment he arrives, it is my resolution that you refuse to see him, or consent to become his wife."

In answer to the alternative thus offered, she appeared averse to both propositions; and yet came to no explanation why; but left her guardian at the end of the conference as much at a loss to decide upon her true sentiments, as he was before he had thus seriously requested he might be informed of them; but having steadfastly taken the resolution which he had just communicated, he found that resolution a certain relief to his mind.

CHAPTER XII.

SIR Edward Ashton, though not invited by Miss Milner, yet frequently did himself the honour to visit her at her house; sometimes he accompanied Lord Elmwood, at other times he came to see Dorriforth alone, who generally introduced him to the ladies. But Sir Edward was either so unwilling to give pain to the object of his love, or so intimidated by her frowns, that he seldom addressed her with a single word, except the usual compliments at entering, and retiring. This appre hension of offending, without one hope of pleasing, had the most awkward effect upon the manners of the worthy baronet; and his endeavours to insinuate himself into the affections of the woman he loved, merely by not giving her offence either in speaking to her or looking at her, formed a character so whimsical that it frequently forced a smile from Miss Milner, though his very name had often power to throw a gloom over her face: she looked upon him as the cause of her being hurried to the election of a lover, before her own mind could well direct her where to fix. Besides, his pursuit was troublesome, while it was no triumph to her vanity, which, by the addresses of Lord Frederick, was in the highest manner gratified.

His lordship now arrives in the country, and calls one morning at Miss Milner's; her guardian sees his carriage coming up the avenue, and gives orders to the servants, to say their lady is not at home, but that Mr. Dorriforth is: Lord Frederick leaves his compliments and goes away.

The ladies all observed his carriage and scrvants. Miss Milner flew to her glass, adjusted her dress, and in her looks expressed every sign of palpitation-but in vain she keeps her eye fixed upon the door of the apartment; no Lord Frederick appears.

After some minutes of expectation, the door opens and her guardian comes in ;-she was disappointed; he perceived that she was, and he looked at her with a most serious face; she immediately called to mind the assurance he had given her, "That her acquaintance with Lord Frederick in its then improper state should not continue," and, between chagrin and confusion, she was at a loss how to behave.

Though the ladies were all present, Dorriforth said, without the smallest reserve, "Perhaps, Miss Milner, you may think I have taken an unwarrantable liberty, in giving orders to your servants to deny you to Lord Frederick; but until his lordship and I have had a private conference, or you condescend to declare your sentiments more fully in regard to his visits, I think it my duty to put an end to them."

"You will always perform your duty, Mr. Dorriforth, I have no doubt, whether I concur or not."

"Yet believe me, madam, I should perform it more cheerfully, if I could hope that it was sanctioned by your inclinations."

"I am not mistress of my inclinations, sir, or they should conform to yours."

"Place them under my direction, and I will answer for it they will."

A servant came in-" Lord Frederick is returned, sir, and says he should be glad to see you." "Show him into the study," cried Dorriforth hastily, and, rising from his chair, left the room.

"I hope they won't quarrel," said Mrs. Horton, meaning that she thought they would.

"I am sorry to see you so uneasy, Miss Milner," said Miss Fenton, with perfect uncon

cern.

As the badness of the weather had prevented their usual morning's exercise, the ladies were employed at their needles till the dinner bell called them away. "Do you think Lord Frederick is gone?" then whispered Miss Milner to Miss Woodley. "I think not," she replied. "Go ask of the servants, dear creature ;" and Miss Woodley went out of the room,-she soon returned and said, apart, "He is now getting into his chariot; I saw him pass in violent haste through the hall; he seemed to fly."

"Ladies, the dinner is waiting," cried Mrs. Horton, and they repaired to the dining room, where Dorriforth soon after came, and engrossed their whole attention by his disturbed looks and unusual silence. Before dinner was over, he was, however, more himself, but still he appeared thoughtful and dissatisfied. At the time of their evening walk he excused himself from accompanying them, and they saw him in a distant field with Mr. Sandford in earnest conversation; for Sandford and he stopped on one spot for a quarter of an hour, as if the interest of the subject had so engaged them, they stood still without knowning it. Lord Elmwood, who had joined the ladies, walked

home with them; Dorriforth entered soon after, in a much less gloomy humour than when he went out, and told his relation, that he and the ladies would dine with him the next day if he was disengaged; and it was agreed they should.

Still Dorriforth was in some perturbation, but the immediate cause was concealed till the day following, when, about an hour before the company's departure from Elmwood castle, Miss Milner and Miss Woodley were desired, by a servant, to walk into a separate apartment, in which they found Mr. Dorriforth with Mr. Sandford waiting for them. Her guardian made an apology to Miss Milner for the form, the ceremony, of which he was going to make use; but he trusted, the extreme weight which oppressed his mind, lest he should mistake the real sentiments of a person whose happiness depended upon his correct knowledge of them, would plead his excuse.

"I know, Miss Milner," continued he, "the world in general allows to unmarried women a great latitude in disguising their minds with respect to the man they love. I too am willing to pardon any little dissimulation that is but consistent with a modesty that becomes every woman upon the subject of marriage. But here, to what point I may limit, or you may extend, this kind of venial deceit, may so widely differ, that it is not impossible for me to remain unacquainted with your sentiments, even after you have revealed them to me. Under this consideration, I wish once more to hear your thoughts in regard to matrimony, and to hear them before one of your own sex, that I may form an opinion by her constructions."

To all this serious oration, Miss Milner made no other reply than by turning to Mr. Sandford, and asking, "If he was the person of her own sex, to whose judgment her guardian was to submit his own?"

"Madam," cried Sandford angrily, "you are come hither upon serious business."

"Any business must be serious to me, Mr. Sandford, in which you are concerned; and if you had called it sorrowful, the epithet would have suited as well."

"Miss Milner," said her guardian, "I did not bring you here to contend with Mr. Sandford."

"Then why, sir, bring him hither? for where he and I are, there must be contention."

"I brought him hither, madam, or I should rather say, brought you to this house, merely that he might be present on this occasion, and with his discernment relieve me from a suspicion, that my own judgment is neither able to suppress nor to confirm."

"Are there any more witnesses you may wish to call in, sir, to remove your doubts of my veracity? if there are, pray send for them before you begin your interrogations."

He shook his head-she continued,

"The whole world is welcome to hear what I say, and every different person is welcome to judge me differently."

"Dear Miss Milner,"-cried Miss Woodley, with a tone of reproach for the vehemence with which she had spoken.

"Perhaps, Miss Milner," said Dorriforth," you will not now reply to those questions I was going to put ?"

"Did I ever refuse, sir," returned she with a self-approving air, "to comply with any request that you have seriously made? Have I ever refused obedience to your commands whenever you thought proper to lay them upon me? If not, you have no right to suppose that I will do so now."

He was going to reply, when Mr. Sandford sullenly interrupted him, and, walking towards the door, cried, "When you come to the point for which you brought me here, send for me again." "And Miss

"Stay now," said Dorriforth. Milner," continued he, "I not only entreat, but conjure you to tell me have you given your word or your affections to Lord Frederick Lawnley ?"

The colour spread over her face, and she replied, "I thought confessions were always to be made in secret; however, as I am not a member of your church, I submit to the persecution of a heretic, and I answer-Lord Frederick has neither my word nor any share in my affections."

Sandford, Dorriforth, and Miss Woodley looked at each other with a degree of surprise that for some time kept them silent. At length Dorriforth said, "And it is your firm intention never to become his wife?"

To which she answered-" At present it is." "At present! do you suspect you shall change your mind?"

"Women sometimes do."

"But before that change can take place, your acquaintance will be at an end: for it is that which I shall next insist upon, and to which you can have no objection."

She replied, "I had rather it should continue." "On what account?" cried Dorriforth. "Because it entertains me."

"For shame, for shame!" returned he; "it endangers your character and your happiness-Yet again, do not suffer me to interfere, if the breaking with my Lord Frederick can militate against your felicity."

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By no means," she answered; "Lord Frederick makes part of my amusement, but can never constitute my felicity."

"Miss Woodley," said Dorriforth, "do you comprehend your friend in the same literal and unequivocal sense that I do ?"

"Certainly I do, sir."

"And pray, Miss Woodley," said he, "were those the sentiments which you have always entertained?"

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