on the evening of his engagement with Lord
Frederick, and the next morning breakfasted with him in his own chamber;
nor did Miss Milner see her guardian after his first return from that
engagement before the following noon. She enquired, however, of his
servant how he did, and was rejoiced to hear that his wound was but
slight--yet this enquiry she durst not make before Miss Woodley.

When Dorriforth made his appearance the next day, it was evident that he
had thrown from his heart a load of cares; and though they had left a
languor upon his face, content was in his voice, in his manners, in
every word and action. Far from seeming to retain any resentment against
his ward, for the danger into which her imprudence had led him, he
appeared rather to pity her indiscretion, and to wish to soothe the
perturbation which the recollection of her own conduct had evidently
raised in her mind. His endeavours were successful--she was soothed every
time he spoke to her; and had not the watchful eye of Miss Woodley stood
guard over her inclinations, she had plainly discovered, that she was
enraptured with the joy of seeing him again himself, after the danger to
which he had been exposed.

These emotions, which she laboured to subdue, passed, however, the
bounds of her ineffectual resistance, when at the time of retiring after
dinner, he said to her in a low voice, but such as it was meant the
company should hear, "Do me the favour, Miss Milner, to call at my study
some time in the evening; I have to speak with you upon business."

She answered, "I will, Sir." And her eyes swam with delight, in
expectation of the interview.

Let not the reader, nevertheless, imagine, there was in that ardent
expectation, one idea which the most spotless mind, in love, might not
have indulged without reproach. Sincere love (at least among the
delicate of the female sex) is often gratified by that degree of
enjoyment, or rather forbearance, which would be torture in the pursuit
of any other passion. Real, delicate, and restrained love, such as Miss
Milner's, was indulged in the sight of the object only; and having
bounded her wishes by her hopes, the height of her happiness was limited
to a conversation, in which no other but themselves took a part.

Miss Woodley was one of those who heard the appointment, but the only
one who conceived with what sensation it was received.

While the ladies remained in the same room with Dorriforth, Miss Milner
t