sit, (which, at the time it
happened, seemed to affect him so exceedingly) become just the same man
he was before the circumstance occurred; except, indeed, that he was
less thoughtful, and now and then cheerful; but without any appearance
that his cheerfulness was affected. Miss Milner was vext--she was
alarmed--but was ashamed to confess those humiliating sensations, even to
Miss Woodley--she supported, therefore, when in company, the vivacity she
had so long assumed; but gave way, when alone, to a still greater degree
of melancholy than usual. She no longer applauded her scheme of bringing
Lord Frederick to the house, and trembled, lest, on some pretence, he
should dare to call again. But as these were feelings which her pride
would not suffer her to disclose even to her friend, who would have
condoled with her, their effects were doubly poignant.

Sitting in her dressing-room one forenoon with Miss Woodley, and
burthened with a load of grief that she blushed to acknowledge, while
her companion was charged with apprehensions that she too was loath to
disclose, one of Lord Elmwood's valets tapped gently at the door, and
delivered a letter to Miss Milner. By the person who brought it, as well
as by the address, she knew it came from Lord Elmwood, and laid it down
upon her toilet, as if she was fearful to unfold it.

"What is that?" said Miss Woodley.

"A letter from Lord Elmwood," replied Miss Milner.

"Good Heaven!" exclaimed Miss Woodley.

"Nay," returned she, "it is, I have no doubt, a letter to beg my
pardon." But her reluctance to open it plainly evinced she did not think
so.

"Do not read it yet," said Miss Woodley.

"I do not intend it," replied she, trembling extremely.

"Will you dine first?" said Miss Woodley.

"No--for not knowing its contents, I shall not know how to conduct myself
towards him."

Here a silence followed. Miss Milner took up the letter--looked earnestly
at the handwriting on the outside--at the seal--inspected into its
folds--and seemed to wish, by some equivocal method, to guess at the
contents, without having the courage to come at the certain knowledge of
them.

Curiosity, at length, got the better of her fears--she opened the letter,
and, scarce able to hold it while she read, she read the following
words:--

"MADAM,

"While I considered you only as my ward, my friendship for you
was unbounded--when I looked upon you as a woman formed to grace
a fash