that peculiar warmth which he had discovered when he received her just
after his illness. Rushbrook was in the library at the same time; he
shewed her several beautiful prints which Lord Elmwood had just received
from London, and appeared anxious to entertain and give tokens of his
esteem and respect for her. But what gave her pleasure beyond any other
attention, was, that after she had taken (by the aid of Rushbrook) about
a dozen volumes from different shelves, and had laid them together,
saying she would send her servant to fetch them; Lord Elmwood went
eagerly to the place where they were, and taking up each book, examined
minutely what it was. One author he complained was too light, another
too depressing, and put them on the shelves again: another was
erroneous, and he changed it for a better: thus, he warned her against
some, and selected other authors, as the most cautious preceptor culls
for his pupil, or a fond father for his darling Child. She thanked him
for his attention to her, but her heart thanked him for his attention to
his daughter. For as she had herself never received such a proof of his
care since all their long acquaintance, she reasonably supposed,
Matilda's reading, and not hers, was the object of his solicitude.

Having in these books store of comfort for poor Matilda, she eagerly
returned with them; and in reciting every particular circumstance, made
her consider the volumes, almost like presents from her father.

The month of September was now arrived; and Lord Elmwood, accompanied by
Rushbrook, went to a small shooting seat, near twenty miles distant from
Elmwood Castle, for a week's particular sport. Matilda was once more at
large; and one beautiful morning, about eleven o'clock, seeing Miss
Woodley walking on the lawn before the house, she hastily took her hat
to join her; and not waiting to put it on, went nimbly down the great
staircase, with it hanging on her arm. When she had descended a few
stairs, she heard a footstep walking slowly up; and, (from what emotion
she could not tell,) she stopped short, half resolved to turn back. She
hesitated a single instant whether she should or not--then went a few
steps further till she came to the second landing place; when, by the
sudden winding of the staircase,--Lord Elmwood was immediately before
her!

She had felt something like affright before she saw him; but her reason
told her she had nothing to fear, as he was away. But now, the
appea