incident the
art of dissimulation, cunning, and duplicity in its most glaring shape;
and detested the method by which they had each escaped Lord Elmwood's
suspicion, and perhaps anger, the more, because it was so dexterously
managed.

Lady Matilda and Sandford were both in their turns informed of this
trait in Mr. Rushbrook's character; and although Miss Woodley had the
best of dispositions, and upon every occasion spoke the strictest truth,
yet in relating this occurrence, she did not speak _all_ the truth; for
every circumstance that would have told to the young man's advantage,
_literally_ had slipped her memory.

The twenty-ninth of October arrived; on which a dinner, a ball, and
supper, was given by Lord Elmwood to all the neighbouring gentry--the
peasants also dined in the park off a roasted bullock, several casks of
ale were distributed, and the bells of the village rung. Matilda, who
heard and saw some part of this festivity from her windows, inquired the
cause; but even the servant who waited upon her had too much sensibility
to tell her, and answered, "He did not know." Miss Woodley however, soon
learned the reason, and groaning with the painful secret, informed her,
"Mr. Rushbrook on that day was come of age."

"_My_ birth-day was last week," replied Matilda; but not a word beside.

In their retired apartments, this day passed away not only soberly, but
almost silently; for to speak upon any subject that did not engage their
thoughts had been difficult, and to speak upon the only one that did,
had been afflicting.

Just as they were sitting down to dinner their bell gently rung, and in
walked Sandford.

"Why are you not among the revellers, Mr. Sandford?" cried Miss Woodley,
with an ironical sneer--(the first her features ever wore)--"Pray, were
not you invited to dine with the company?"

"Yes," replied Sandford; "but my head ached; and so I had rather come
and take a bit with you."

Matilda, as if she had seen his heart as he spoke, clung round his neck
and sobbed on his bosom: he put her peevishly away, crying "Nonsense,
nonsense--eat your dinner." But he did not eat himself.

CHAPTER IX.

About a week after this, Lord Elmwood went out two days for a visit;
consequently Rushbrook was for that time master of the house. The first
morning he went a shooting, and returning about noon, enquired of
Sandford, who was sitting in the room, if he had taken up a volume of
plays left upon the table