you, than it is to me, therefore I give
it you."

Sandford called up a look of surprise, as if he did not know the letter
again.

"'Tis Lady Elmwood's letter," said Lord Elmwood, "and I return it to you
for two reasons."

Sandford took it, and putting it up, asked fearfully, "What those two
reasons were?"

"First," said he, "because I think it is a relick you may like to
preserve--my second reason is, that you may shew it to her daughter, and
let her know why, and on what conditions, I grant her mother's request."

"You _do_ then grant it?" cried Sandford joyfully; "I thank you--you are
kind--you are considerate."

"Be not hasty in your gratitude; you may have cause to recall it."

"I know what you have said;" replied Sandford, "you have said you grant
Lady Elmwood's request--you cannot recall these words, nor I my
gratitude."

"Do you know what her request is?" returned he.

"Not exactly, my Lord--I told you before, I did not; but it is no doubt
something in favour of her child."

"I think not," he replied: "such as it is, however, I grant it: but in
the strictest sense of the word--no farther--and one neglect of my
commands, releases me from this promise totally."

"We will take care, Sir, not to disobey them."

"Then listen to what they are, for to you I give the charge of
delivering them again. Lady Elmwood has petitioned me in the name of her
father, (a name I reverence) to give his grandchild the sanction of my
protection. In the literal sense, to suffer that she may reside at one
of my seats; dispensing at the same time with my ever seeing her."

"And you will comply?"

"I will, till she encroaches on this concession, and dares to hope for a
greater. I will, while she avoids my sight, or the giving me any
remembrance of her. But if, whether by design or by accident, I ever see
or hear from her, that moment, my compliance to her mother's
supplication ceases, and I abandon her once more."

Sandford sighed. Lord Elmwood continued:

"I am glad her request stopped where it did. I would rather comply with
her desires than not; and I rejoice they are such as I can grant with
ease and honour to myself. I am seldom now at Elmwood castle; let her
daughter go there; the few weeks or months I am down in the summer, she
may easily in that extensive house avoid me--while she does, she lives in
security--when she does not--you know my resolution."

Sandford bowed--the Earl resumed:

"Nor can it be a hard