ould have credited, or had
his own heart suggested it, he was a man of that rectitude and
conscientiousness, that he would have returned immediately to Lord
Elmwood, and have strengthened all his favourable opinions of his
intended wife--but having no such monitor, he walked on, highly
contented, and meeting Miss Woodley, said, with an air of triumph,

"Where's your friend? where's Lady Elmwood?"

Miss Woodley smiled, and answered--She was gone with such and such ladies
to an auction. "But why give her that title already, Mr. Sandford?"

"Because," answered he, "I think she will never have it."

"Bless me, Mr. Sandford," said Miss Woodley, "you shock me!"

"I thought I should," replied he, "and therefore I told it you."

"For Heaven's sake what has happened?"

"Nothing new--her indiscretions only."

"I know she is imprudent," said Miss Woodley--"I can see that her conduct
is often exceptionable--but then Lord Elmwood surely loves her, and love
will overlook a great deal."

"He _does_ love her--but he has understanding and resolution. He loved
his sister too, tenderly loved her, and yet when he had taken the
resolution, and passed his word that he would never see her again--even
upon her death-bed he would not retract it--no entreaties could prevail
upon him. And now, though he maintains, and I dare say loves, her child,
yet you remember, when you brought him home, that he would not suffer
him in his sight."

"Poor Miss Milner!" said Miss Woodley, in the most pitying accents.

"Nay," said Sandford, "Lord Elmwood has not _yet_ passed his word, that
he will never see her more--he has only threatened to do it; but I know
enough of him to know, that his threats are generally the same as if
they were executed."

"You are very good," said Miss Woodley, "to acquaint me of this in
time--I may now warn Miss Milner of it, and she may observe more
circumspection."

"By no means," cried Sandford, hastily--"What would you warn her for? It
will do her no good--besides," added he, "I don't know whether Lord
Elmwood does not expect secrecy on my part; and if he does----"

"But, with all deference to your opinion," said Miss Woodley, (and with
all deference did she speak) "don't you think, Mr. Sandford, that
secrecy upon this occasion would be wicked? For consider the anguish
that it may occasion to my friend; and if, by advising her, we can save
her from----" She was going on.----

"You may call it wicked, Madam, not t