till he had received a satisfactory answer to his
question."

"Then bring your bed," replied Sandford, "for you must pass your whole
night here."

He found it vain to think of obtaining any intelligence by threats, he
therefore said in a timid and persuasive manner,

"Did you, Mr. Sandford, hear Lady Matilda mention my name?"

"Yes," replied Sandford, a little better reconciled to him.

"Did you tell her what I lately declared to you?" he asked with still
more diffidence.

"No," replied Sandford.

"It is very well, Sir," returned he, vexed to the heart--yet again
wishing to sooth him--

"You certainly, Mr. Sandford, know what is for the best--yet I entreat
you will give me some further account of the nobleman you named?"

"I know what is for the best," replied Sandford, "and I won't."

Rushbrook bowed, and immediately left the room. He went apparently
submissive, but the moment he showed this submission, he took the
resolution of paying a visit himself to the farm at which Lady Matilda
resided; and of learning, either from Miss Woodley, the people of the
house, the neighbours, or perhaps from Lady Matilda's own lips, the
secret which the obstinacy of Sandford had with-held.

He saw all the dangers of this undertaking, but none appeared so great
as the danger of losing her he loved, by the influence of a rival--and
though Sandford had named "insolence," he was in doubt whether what had
appeared so to him, was so in reality, or would be so considered by her.

To prevent the cause of his absence being suspected by Lord Elmwood, he
immediately called his groom, ordered his horse, and giving those
servants concerned, a strict charge of secrecy, with some frivolous
pretence to apologize for his not being present at breakfast (resolving
to be back by dinner) he set off that night, and arrived at an inn about
a mile from the farm at break of day.

The joy he felt when he found himself so near to the beloved object of
his journey, made him thank Sandford in his heart, for the unkindness
which had sent him thither. But new difficulties arose, how to
accomplish the end for which he came; he learned from the people of the
inn, that a Lord, with a fine equipage, had visited at the farm, but who
he was, or for what purpose he went, no one could inform him.

Dreading to return with his doubts unsatisfied, and yet afraid of
proceeding to extremities that might be construed into presumption, he
walked disconsolately (al