been violent, even
though divided with the love of hunting) now too strong to be subdued;
and he resolved, though reluctantly, to apply to her father for his
consent to their union; but writing to Sandford this resolution, he was
once more repulsed, and charged as a man of honour, to forbear to
disturb the tranquillity of the family by any application of the kind.
To this, Sandford received no answer; for the peer, highly incensed at
his mistress's repugnance to him, determined more firmly than ever to
consult his own happiness alone; and as that depended merely upon his
obtaining her, he cared not by what method it was effected.

About a fortnight after Lord Elmwood came into the country, as he was
riding one morning, his horse fell with him, and crushed his leg in so
unfortunate a manner, as to be at first pronounced of dangerous
consequence. He was brought home in a post chaise, and Matilda heard of
the accident with more grief than would, perhaps, on such an occasion,
appertain to the most fondled child.

In consequence of the pain he suffered, his fever was one night very
high; and Sandford, who seldom quitted his apartment, went frequently to
his bedside, every time with the secret hope he should hear him ask to
see his daughter--he was every time disappointed--yet he saw him shake,
with a cordial friendship, the hand of Rushbrook, as if he delighted in
seeing those he loved.

The danger in which Lord Elmwood was supposed to be, was but of short
duration, and his sudden recovery succeeded. Matilda, who had wept,
moaned, and watched during the crisis of his illness, when she heard he
was amending, exclaimed, (with a kind of surprise at the novelty of the
sensation) "And this is joy that I feel! Oh! I never till now knew, what
those persons felt who experienced joy."

Nor did she repine, like Mr. Sandford and Miss Woodley, at her father's
inattention to her during his malady, for she did not hope like them--she
did not hope he would behold her, even in dying.

But notwithstanding his seeming indifference, while his indisposition
continued, no sooner was he recovered so as to receive the
congratulations of his friends, than there was no one person he
evidently showed so much satisfaction at seeing, as Miss Woodley. She
waited upon him timorously, and with more than ordinary distaste at his
late conduct, when he put out his hand with the utmost warmth to receive
her; drew her to him; saluted her, (an honour he h