syllable, or even casting a look, in
remembrance of what had passed in the morning. Or if there was any
token, that shewed he remembered the circumstance at all, it was the
putting his glass to his nephew's, when Rushbrook called for wine, and
drinking at the time he did.

CHAPTER V.

The repulse Lord Margrave received, did not diminish the ardour of his
pursuit; for as he was no longer afraid of resentment from the Earl,
whatever treatment his daughter might receive, he was determined the
anger of Lady Matilda, or of her female friend, should not impede his
pretensions.

Having taken this resolution, he laid the plan of an open violation of
all right; and determined to bear away that prize by force, which no art
was likely to procure. He concerted with two of his favourite
companions, but their advice was, "One struggle more of fair means."
This was totally against his inclination; for, he had much rather have
encountered the piercing cries of a female in the last agonies of
distress, than the fatigue of her sentimental harangues, or elegant
reproofs, such as he had the sense to understand, but not the capacity
to answer.

Stimulated, however, by his friends to one more trial, in spite of the
formal dismission he had twice received, he intruded another visit on
Lady Matilda at the Farm. Provoked beyond bearing at such unfeeling
assurance, Matilda refused to come into the room where he was, and Miss
Woodley alone received him, and expressed her surprise at the little
attention he had paid to her explicit desire.

"Madam," replied the nobleman, "to be plain with you, I am in love."

"I do not the least doubt it, my Lord," replied Miss Woodley: "nor ought
you to doubt the truth of what I advance, when I assure you, that you
have not the smallest reason to hope your love will be returned; for
Lady Matilda is resolved _never_ to listen to your passion."

"That man," he replied, "is to blame, who can relinquish his hopes, upon
the mere resolution of a lady."

"And that lady would be wrong," replied Miss Woodley, "who should
entrust her happiness in the care of a man, who can think thus meanly of
her and of her sex."

"I think highly of them all," he replied; "and to convince you in how
high an estimation I hold _her_ in particular, my whole fortune is at
her command."

"Your entire absence from this house, my Lord, she would consider as a
much greater mark of your respect."

A long conversation, as uni