ear to the test, found those hopes vanished; and though she endeavoured
to conceal it, she was full of apprehensions. Sandford, had certainly
fewer fears than either; yet upon the eve of the day on which his patron
was to arrive, he was evidently cast down.

Lady Matilda once asked him--"Are you certain, Mr. Sandford, you made no
mistake in respect to what Lord Elmwood said, when he granted my
mother's request? Are you sure he _did_ grant it? Was there nothing
equivocal on which he may ground his displeasure should he be told that
I am here? Oh do not let me hazard being once again turned out of his
house! Oh! save me from provoking him perhaps to curse me." And here she
clasped her hands together with the most fervent petition, in the dread
of what might happen.

"If you doubt my words or my senses," said Sandford, "call Giffard, and
let him inform you; the same words were repeated to him as to me."

Though from her reason, Matilda could not doubt of any mistake from Mr.
Sandford, yet her fears suggested a thousand scruples; and this
reference to the steward she received with the utmost satisfaction,
(though she did not think it necessary to apply to him) as it perfectly
convinced her of the folly of the suspicions she had entertained.

"And yet, Mr. Sandford," said she, "if it is so, why are you less
cheerful than you were? I cannot help thinking but it must be your
expectation of Lord Elmwood, which has occasioned this change."

"I don't know," replied Sandford, carelessly, "but I believe I am grown
afraid of your father. His temper is a great deal altered from what it
once was--he raises his voice, and uses harsh expressions upon the least
provocation--his eyes flash lightning, and his face is distorted with
anger upon the slightest motives--he turns away his old servants at a
moment's warning, and no concession can make their peace. In a word, I
am more at my ease when I am away from him--and I really believe," added
he with a smile, but with a tear at the same time, "I really believe, I
am more afraid of _him_ in my age, than he was of _me_ when he was a
boy."

Miss Woodley was present; she and Matilda looked at one another; and
each of them saw the other turn pale at this description.

The day at length came, on which Lord Elmwood was expected to dinner. It
would have been a high gratification to his daughter to have gone to the
topmost window of the house, and have only beheld his carriage enter the
avenu