o is our
friend we distrust--where a common interest is concerned, we are ashamed
of drawing on a common danger--afraid of advice, though that advice is to
save us.----Miss Woodley," said he, changing his voice with excess of
earnestness, "do you not believe, that I would do anything to make Miss
Milner happy?"

"Any thing in honour, my Lord."

"She can desire nothing farther," he replied in agitation. "Are her
desires so unwarrantable, that I cannot grant them?"

Miss Woodley again did not speak--and he continued----

"Great as my friendship is, there are certainly bounds to it--bounds that
shall save her in spite of herself:"--and he raised his voice.

"In the disposal of themselves," resumed he, with a less vehement tone,
"that great, that terrific disposal in marriage, (at which I have always
looked with fear and dismay) there is no accounting for the rashness of
a woman's choice, or sometimes for the depravity of her taste. But in
such a case, Miss Milner's election of a husband shall not direct mine.
If she does not know how to estimate her own value, I do. Independent of
her fortune, she has beauty to captivate the heart of any man; and with
all her follies, she has a frankness in her manner, an unaffected wisdom
in her thoughts, a vivacity in her conversation, and withal, a softness
in her demeanour, that might alone engage the affections of a man of the
nicest sentiments, and the strongest understanding. I will not see all
these qualities and accomplishments debased. It is my office to protect
her from the consequences of a degrading choice, and I will."

"My Lord, Miss Milner's taste is not a depraved one; it is but too
refined."

"What can you mean by that, Miss Woodley? You talk mysteriously. Is she
not afraid that I will thwart her inclinations?"

"She is sure that you will, my Lord."

"Then must the person be unworthy of her."

Miss Woodley rose from her seat--she clasped her hands--every look and
every gesture proved her alternate resolution and irresolution of
proceeding. Lord Elmwood's attention was arrested before; but now it was
fixed to a degree which her extraordinary manner only could occasion.

"My Lord," said she, with a tremulous voice, "promise me, declare to me,
nay, swear to me, that it shall ever remain a secret in your own breast,
and I will reveal to you, on whom she has placed her affections."

This preparation made Lord Elmwood tremble, and he ran over instantly in
his mind