failings, hypocrisy. It was
plain to see that Mr. Sandford esteemed her less and less every day; and
as he was the person who most influenced the opinion of her guardian,
he became to her, very soon, an object not merely of dislike, but of
abhorrence.

These mutual sentiments were discoverable in every word and action,
while they were in each other's company; but still in his absence, Miss
Milner's good nature, and total freedom from malice, never suffered her
to utter a sentence injurious to his interest. Sandford's charity did
not extend thus far; and speaking of her with severity one evening while
she was at the opera, "His meaning," as he said, "but to caution her
guardian against her faults," Lord Elmwood replied,

"There is one fault, however, Mr. Sandford, I cannot lay to her charge."

"And what is that, my Lord?" cried Sandford, eagerly, "What is that one
fault, which Miss Milner has not?"

"I never," replied Lord Elmwood, "heard Miss Milner, in your absence,
utter a syllable to your disadvantage."

"She dares not, my Lord, because she is in fear of you and she knows you
would not suffer it."

"She then," answered his Lordship, "pays me a much higher compliment
than you do; for you freely censure _her_, and yet imagine I _will_
suffer it."

"My Lord," replied Sandford, "I am undeceived now, and shall never take
that liberty again."

As Lord Elmwood always treated Sandford with the utmost respect, he
began to fear he had been deficient upon this occasion; and the
disposition which had induced him to take his ward's part, was likely,
in the end, to prove unfavourable to her; for perceiving Sandford was
offended at what had passed, as the only means of retribution, he began
himself to lament her volatile and captious propensities; in which
lamentation, Sandford, now forgetting his affront, joined with the
heartiest concurrence, adding,

"You, Sir, having now other cares to employ your thoughts, ought to
insist upon her marrying, or retiring into the country."

She returned home just as this conversation was finished, and Sandford,
the moment she entered, rang for his candle to retire. Miss Woodley,
who had been at the opera with Miss Milner, cried,

"Bless me, Mr. Sandford, are you not well, you are going to leave us so
early?"

He replied, "No, I have a pain in my head."

Miss Milner, who never listened to complaints without sympathy, rose
immediately from her seat, saying,

"I think I never hea