ing.

In spite of his prudence, however, and his delicacy towards Matilda,
Rushbrook could not let his valet leave him till he had inquired, and
learned all the circumstantial account of what had happened; except,
indeed, the order received by Giffard, which being given after Lord
Elmwood was in his carriage and in concise terms, the domestics who
attended him (and from whom this man had gained his intelligence) were
unacquainted with it.

When the servant had left Rushbrook alone, the perturbation of his mind
was so great, that he was, at length, undetermined whether to go to bed,
or to rush into his uncle's apartment, and at his feet beg for that
compassion upon his daughter, which he feared he had denied her. But
then, to what peril would he not expose himself by such a step? Nay, he
might perhaps even injure her whom he wished to serve; for if his uncle
was at present unresolved, whether to forgive or to resent this
disobedience to his commands, another's interference might enrage, and
precipitate him on the latter.

This consideration was so weighty, it resigned Rushbrook to the suspense
he was compelled to endure till the morning; when he flattered himself,
that by watching every look and motion of Lord Elmwood, his penetration
would be able to discover the state of his heart, and how he meant to
act.

But the morning came, and he found all his prying curiosity was of no
avail; Lord Elmwood did not drop one word, give one look, or use one
action that was not customary.

On first seeing him, Rushbrook blushed at the secret with which he was
entrusted; then, as he gazed on the Earl, contemplated the joy he ought
to have known in clasping in his arms a child like Matilda, whose
tenderness, reverence, and duty, had deprived her of all sensation at
his sight; which was in Rushbrook's mind an honour, that rendered him
superior to what he was before.

They were in the fields all the day as usual; Lord Elmwood now cheerful,
and complaining no more of the head-ache. Yet once being separated from
his nephew, Rushbrook crossed over a stile into another field, and found
him sitting by the side of a bank, his gun lying by him, and himself
lost in thought. He rose on seeing him, and proceeded to the sport as
before.

At dinner, he said he should not go to Elmwood House the next day, as he
had appointed, but stay where he was, three or four days longer. From
these two small occurrences, Rushbrook would fain have extract