n his life, took hold of him by the hand, and said
to Lord Elmwood, "My Lord, what's the matter?"

"That ungrateful villain," cried he, "has dared to insult me.--Leave my
house this moment, Sir."

Rushbrook made an effort to go, but Sandford still held his hand; and
meekly said to Lord Elmwood,

"He is but a boy, my Lord, and do not give him the punishment of a man."

Rushbrook now snatched his hand from Sandford's, and threw it with
himself upon his neck; where he indeed sobbed like a boy.

"You are both in league," exclaimed Lord Elmwood.

"Do you suspect me of partiality to Mr. Rushbrook?" said Sandford,
advancing nearer to the Earl.

Rushbrook had now gained the point of remaining in the room; but the
hope that privilege inspired (while he still harboured all the just
apprehensions for his fate) gave birth, perhaps, to a more exquisite
sensation of pain, than despair would have done. He stood
silent--confounded--hoping that he was forgiven--fearing that he was not.

As Sandford approached still nearer to Lord Elmwood, he continued, "No,
my Lord, I know you do not suspect me, of partiality to Mr.
Rushbrook--has any part of my behaviour ever discovered it?"

"You now then only interfere to provoke me."

"If that were the case," returned Sandford, "there have been occasions,
when I might have done it more effectually--when my own heart-strings
were breaking, because I would not provoke, or add to what you
suffered."

"I am obliged to you, Mr. Sandford:" he returned, mildly.

"And if, my Lord, I have proved any merit in a late forbearance, reward
me for it now; and take this young man from the depth of despair in
which I see he is sunk, and say you pardon him."

Lord Elmwood made no answer--and Rushbrook, drawing strong inferences of
hope from his silence, lifted up his eyes from the ground, and ventured
to look in his face: he found it composed to what it had been, but still
strongly marked with agitation. He cast his eyes away again, in
confusion.

On which his uncle said to him--"I shall postpone executing your
obedience to my late orders, till you think fit once more to provoke
them--and then, not even Sandford, shall dare to plead your excuse."

Rushbrook bowed.

"Go, leave the room, Sir."

He instantly obeyed.

Then Sandford, turning to Lord Elmwood, shook him by the hand, and
cried, "My Lord, I thank you--I thank you very kindly, my Lord--I shall
now begin to think I have some weight with y