ood's extreme displeasure,
and dreaded lest he should express it by some words he could not recall,
or she could not forgive--therefore, whispering to her she had something
particular to say, she took her out of the room.

The moment she was gone, Mr. Sandford rose nimbly from his seat, rubbed
his hands, walked briskly across the room, then asked Lord Elmwood in a
cheerful tone, "Whether he dined at home to-day?"

That which had given Sandford cheerfulness, had so depressed Lord
Elmwood, that he sat dejected and silent. At length he answered in a
faint voice, "No, I believe I shall _not_ dine at home."

"Where is your Lordship going to dine?" asked Mrs. Horton; "I thought we
should have had your company to-day; Miss Milner dines at home, I
believe."

"I have not yet determined where I shall dine," replied he, taking no
notice of the conclusion of her speech.

"My Lord, if you mean to go to the hotel, I'll go with you, if you
please," cried Sandford officiously.

"With all my heart, Sandford--" and they both went out together, before
Miss Milner returned to the apartment.

CHAPTER VIII.

Miss Woodley, for the first time, disobeyed the will of Mr. Sandford;
and as soon as Miss Milner and she were alone, repeated all he had
revealed to her; accompanying the recital, with her usual testimonies of
sympathy and affection. But had the genius of Sandford presided over
this discovery, it could not have influenced the mind of Miss Milner to
receive the intelligence with a temper more exactly the opposite of that
which it was the intention of the informer to recommend. Instead of
shuddering at the menace Lord Elmwood had uttered, she said, she "Dared
him to perform it." "He dares not," repeated she.

"Why dares not?" said Miss Woodley.

"Because he loves me too well--because his own happiness is too dear to
him."

"I believe he loves you," replied Miss Woodley, "and yet there is a
doubt if----"

"There shall be no longer a doubt," cried Miss Milner, "I'll put him to
the proof."

"For shame, my dear! you talk inconsiderately--what can you mean by
proof?"

"I mean I will do something that no prudent man _ought_ to forgive; and
yet, with all his vast share of prudence, _he_ shall forgive it, and
make a sacrifice of just resentment to partial affection."

"But if you should be disappointed, and he should _not_ make the
sacrifice?" said Miss Woodley.

"Then I have only lost a man who had no regard for me."