for
its quiet.

That Lord Elmwood could have no idea what the real petition was, which
Rushbrook meant to present him is certain; but it is certain he expected
he had some request to make, with which it might be wrong for him to
comply, and therefore he avoided hearing what it was; for great as his
compassion for him was in his present state, it was not of sufficient
force to urge him to give a promise he did not mean to perform.
Rushbrook, on his part was pleased with the assurance he might speak
when he was restored to health; but no sooner was his fever abated, and
his senses perfectly recovered from the slight derangement his malady
had occasioned, than the lively remembrance of what he had hinted,
alarmed him, and he was even afraid to look his kind, but awful relation
in the face. Lord Elmwood's cheerfulness, however, on his returning
health, and his undiminished attention, soon convinced him that he had
nothing to fear. But, alas! he found too, that he had nothing to hope.
As his health re-established, his wishes re-established also, and with
his wishes, his despair.

Convinced now, that his nephew had something on his mind which he feared
to reveal, the Earl no longer doubted but that some youthful attachment
had armed him against any marriage he should propose; but he had so much
pity for his present weak state, to delay that further inquiry which he
had threatened before his illness, to a time when he should be entirely
restored.

It was the end of May before Rushbrook was able to partake in the usual
routine of the day--the country was now prescribed him as the means of
complete restoration; and as Lord Elmwood designed to leave London some
time in June, he advised him to go to Elmwood House a week or two before
him; this advice was received with delight, and a letter was sent to Mr.
Sandford to prepare for Mr. Rushbrook's arrival.

CHAPTER XII.

During the illness of Rushbrook, news had been sent of his danger, from
the servants in town to those at Elmwood House, and Lady Matilda
expressed compassion when she was told of it--she began to conceive, the
instant she thought he would soon die, that his visit to her had merit
rather than impertinence in its design, and that he might possibly be a
more deserving man, than she had supposed him to be. Even Sandford and
Miss Woodley, began to recollect qualifications he possessed, which they
never had reflected on before, and Miss Woodley in particular