thinkingly," repeated Edwards; "I was showing my Lord some
plans for the new walks, and told him, among other things, that her
Ladyship had many years ago approved of them. 'Who?' cried he. Still I
did not call to mind, but said, 'Lady Elmwood, Sir, while you were
abroad.'--As soon as these words were delivered, I saw my doom in his
looks, and he commanded me to quit his house and service that instant."

"I am afraid," said Sandford, shaking his head, "I can do nothing for
you."

"Yes, Sir, you know you have more power over my Lord than any body--and
perhaps you may be able to save me and all mine from misery."

"I would, if I could," replied Sandford quickly.

"You can but try, Sir."

Matilda was all this while bathed in tears; nor was Miss Woodley much
less affected--Lady Elmwood was before their eyes--Matilda beheld her in
her dying moments; Miss Woodley saw her as the gay ward of Dorriforth.

"Ask Mr. Rushbrook," said Sandford, "prevail on him to speak for you; he
has more power than I have."

"He has not enough, then," replied Edwards, "for he was in the room with
my Lord when what I have told you happened."

"And did he say nothing?" asked Sandford.

"Yes, Sir; he offered to speak in my behalf, but my Lord interrupted
him, and ordered him out of the room--he instantly went."

Sandford, now observing the effect which this narration had on the two
ladies, led the man to his own apartments, and there assured him he
dared not undertake his cause; but that if time or chance should happily
make an alteration in his Lord's disposition, he would be the first who
would endeavour to replace him.--Edwards was obliged to submit; and
before the next day at noon, his pleasant house by the side of the park,
his garden, and his orchard, which he had occupied above twenty years,
were cleared of their old inhabitant, and all his wretched family.

CHAPTER XIV.

This melancholy incident, perhaps affected Matilda and all the friends
of the deceased Lady Elmwood, beyond any other that had occurred since
her death. A few days after this circumstance, Miss Woodley, in order to
divert the disconsolate mind of Lady Matilda, (and in the hope of
bringing her some little anecdotes, to console her for that which had
given her so much pain) waited upon Lord Elmwood in his library, and
borrowed some books out of it. He was now perfectly well from his fall,
and received her with his usual politeness, but, of course, not with