r affections for him, I cannot but
still have my doubts."

"You need have none, my Lord," replied Miss Woodley, with a smile of
confidence.

"And yet you must own her behaviour has warranted them--has it not been
in this particular incoherent and unaccountable?"

"The behaviour of a person in love, no doubt," answered Miss Woodley.

"Don't I say so?" replied he warmly; "and is not that a just reason for
my suspicions?"

"But is there only one man in the world on whom those suspicions can
fix?" said Miss Woodley, with the colour mounting into her face.

"Not that I know of--not one more that I know of," he replied, with
astonishment at what she had insinuated, and yet with a perfect
assurance that she was in the wrong.

"Perhaps I am mistaken," answered she.

"Nay, that is impossible too," returned he with anxiety--"You share her
confidence--you are perpetually with her; and if she did not confide in
you, (which I know, and rejoice that she does) you would yet be
acquainted with all her inclinations."

"I believe I am _perfectly_ acquainted with them," replied Miss Woodley,
with a significance in her voice and manner which convinced him there
was some secret to learn.

After a hesitation----

"It is far from me," replied he, "to wish to be entrusted with the
private sentiments of those who desire to with-hold them from me; much
less would I take any unfair means to be informed of them. To ask any
more questions of you, I believe, would be unfair. Yet I cannot but
lament that I am not as well informed as you are. I wish to prove my
friendship to Miss Milner, but she will not suffer me--and every step
that I take for her happiness, I take in the most perplexing
uncertainty."

Miss Woodley sighed--but she did not speak. He seemed to wait for her
reply; but as she made none, he proceeded--

"If ever breach of confidence could be tolerated, I certainly know no
occasion that would so justly authorise it as the present. I am not only
proper from character, but from circumstances, to be relied upon--my
interest is so nearly connected with the interest, and my happiness with
the happiness of my ward, that those principles, as well as my honour,
would protect her against every peril arising from my being trusted."

"Oh! my Lord," cried Miss Woodley, with a most forcible accent, "_You_
are the last person on earth she would pardon me for entrusting."

"Why so?" said he, warmly. "But that is the way--the person wh