state was, in Miss Milner's eye, an inestimable advantage to
her guardian; not on account of their real value; but that any change,
instead of diminishing her passion, would have served only to increase
it--even a change to the utmost poverty.

When he entered--the sight of him seemed to be too much for her, and
after the first glance she turned her head away. The sound of his voice
encouraged her to look once more--and then she riveted her eyes upon him.

"It is impossible, my dear Miss Milner," he gently whispered, "to say,
what joy I feel that your disorder has subsided."

But though it was impossible to say, it was possible to _look_ what he
felt, and his looks expressed his feelings. In the zeal of those
sensations, he laid hold of her hand, and held it between his--this he
did not himself know--but she did.

"You have prayed for me, my Lord, I make no doubt?" said she, and
smiled, as if thanking him for those prayers.

"Fervently, ardently!" returned he; and the fervency with which he had
prayed spoke in every feature.

"But I am a protestant, you know, and if I had died such, do you believe
I should have gone to Heaven?"

"Most assuredly, that would not have prevented you."

"But Mr. Sandford does not think so."

"He must; for he means to go there himself."

To keep her guardian with her, Miss Milner seemed inclined to converse;
but her solicitous friend gave Lord Elmwood a look, which implied that
it might be injurious to her, and he retired.

They had only one more interview before he left the place; at which Miss
Milner was capable of sitting up--he was with her, however, but a very
short time, some necessary concerns relative to his late kinsman's
affairs, calling him in haste to London. Miss Woodley continued with her
friend till she saw her entirely reinstated in her health: during which
time her guardian was frequently the subject of their private
conversation; and upon those occasions Miss Milner has sometimes brought
Miss Woodley to acknowledge, "That could Mr. Dorriforth have possibly
foreseen the early death of the last Lord Elmwood, it had been more for
the honour of his religion (as that ancient title would now after him
become extinct), if he had preferred marriage vows to those of
celibacy."

CHAPTER II.

When the time for Miss Woodley's departure arrived, Miss Milner
entreated earnestly to accompany her home, and made the most solemn
promises that she would guard not only h