le to her; but as she felt a
desire to see him in company of his intended bride, (for she fancied she
could perceive his secret sentiments, could she once see them together)
she answered not ungraciously, "Yes, my compliments to Mr. and Miss
Fenton, and I hope they will favour me with their company."

"Then, Madam, if they come, you may expect me--else not." He bowed and
left the room.

All the day was passed in anxious expectation by Miss Milner, what would
be the event of the evening: for upon her penetration that evening all
her future prospects she thought depended. If she saw by his looks, by
his words, or assiduities, that he loved Miss Fenton, she flattered
herself she would never think of him again with hope; but if she
observed him treat her with inattention or indifference, she would
cherish, from that moment, the fondest expectations. Against that short
evening her toilet was consulted the whole day: the alternate hope and
fear which fluttered in her heart, gave a more than usual brilliancy to
her eyes, and more than usual bloom to her complection. But vain was her
beauty; vain all her care to decorate that beauty; vain her many looks
to her box-door in hopes to see it open--Lord Elmwood never came.

The music was discord--every thing she saw was disgusting--in a word, she
was miserable.

She longed impatiently for the curtain to drop, because she was uneasy
where she was--yet she asked herself, "Shall I be less unhappy at home?
Yes; at home I shall see Lord Elmwood, and that will be happiness. But
he will behold me with neglect, and that will be misery! Ungrateful man!
I will no longer think of him." Yet could she have thought of him,
without joining in the same idea Miss Fenton, her anguish had been
supportable; but while she painted them as lovers, the tortures of the
rack are but a few degrees more painful than those which she endured.

There are but few persons who ever felt the real passion of jealousy,
because few have felt the real passion of love; but with those who have
experienced them both, jealousy not only affects the mind, but every
fibre of their frame; and Miss Milner's every limb felt agonizing
torment, when Miss Fenton, courted and beloved by Lord Elmwood, was
present to her imagination.

The moment the opera was finished, she flew hastily down stairs, as if
to fly from the sufferings she experienced. She did not go into the
coffee-room, though repeatedly urged by Miss Woodley, but wa