,
reproached herself that she had been so severe and inattentive to him.
Notwithstanding the prospects his death pointed out to her, it was with
infinite joy she heard he was recovered; nor was Sandford less
satisfied; for he had treated the young man too unkindly not to dread,
lest any ill should befall him; but although he was glad to hear of his
restored health, when he was informed he was coming down to Elmwood
House for a few weeks in the style of its master, Sandford, with all his
religious and humane principles, could not help thinking, "That if the
lad had been properly preps well out of the world as in it."

He was still less his friend when he saw him arrive with his usual
florid complexion: had he come pale and sickly, Sandford had been kind
to him; but in apparently good health and spirits, he could not form his
lips to tell him he was "Glad to see him."

On his arrival, Matilda, who for five months had been at large, secluded
herself as she would have done upon the arrival of Lord Elmwood; but
with far different sensations. Notwithstanding her restriction on the
latter occasion, the residence of her father in that house had been a
source of pleasure, rather than of sorrow to her; but from the abode of
Rushbrook she derived punishment alone.

When, from inquiries, Rushbrook found that on his approach, Matilda had
retired to her own confined apartments, the thought was torture to him;
it was the hope of seeing and conversing with her, of being admitted at
all times to her society as the mistress of the house, that had raised
his spirits, and effected his perfect cure beyond any other cause; and
he was hurt to the greatest degree at this respect, or rather contempt,
shown to him by her retreat.

It was, nevertheless, a subject too delicate for him to touch upon in
any one sense--an invitation for her company on his part, might carry the
appearance of superior authority, and an affected condescension, which
he justly considered as the worst of all insults. And yet, how could he
support the idea that his visit had placed the daughter of his
benefactor, as a dependent stranger in that house, where in reality _he_
was the dependent, and she the lawful heir? For two or three days he
suffered the torment of these reflections, hoping that he should come to
an explanation of all he felt, by a fortunate meeting with Miss Woodley;
but when that meeting occurred, though he observed she talked to him
with less reserve