ung her hands, and lifted up her
eyes to Heaven, in the last agony of despair, when one of Lord
Margrave's servants entered hastily and announced,

"Lord Elmwood!"

That moment her father entered--and with all the unrestrained fondness of
a parent, folded her in his arms.

Her extreme, her excess of joy on such a meeting, and from such anguish
rescued, was, in part, repressed by his awful presence. The
apprehensions to which she had been accustomed, kept her timid and
doubtful--she feared to speak, or clasp him in return for his embrace,
but falling on her knees, clung round his legs, and bathed his feet with
her tears.----These were the happiest moments that she had ever
known--perhaps, the happiest _he_ had ever known.

Lord Margrave, on whom Lord Elmwood had not even cast a look, now left
the room; but as he quitted it, called out,

"My Lord Elmwood, if you have any demands on me,"--

The Earl interrupted him, "Would you make me an executioner? The law
shall be your only antagonist."

Matilda, quite exhausted, yet upheld by the sudden transport she had
felt, was led by her father out of this wretched dwelling--more
despicable than the beggar's hovel.

CHAPTER XI.

Overcome with the want of rest for two nights, from her distracting
fears, and all those fears now hushed; Matilda, soon after she was
placed in the carriage with Lord Elmwood, dropped fast asleep; and
thus, insensibly surprised, leaned her head against her father in the
sweetest slumber that imagination can conceive.

When she awoke, instead of the usual melancholy scene before her view,
she beheld her father, and heard the voice of the once dreaded Lord
Elmwood tenderly saying,

"We will go no further to-night, the fatigue is too much for her; order
beds here directly, and some proper person to sit up and attend her."

She could only turn to him with a look of love and duty; her lips could
not utter a sentence.

In the morning she found her father by the side of her bed. He inquired
"If she was in health sufficient to pursue her journey, or if she would
remain where she was?"

"I _am_ able to go with you," she answered instantly.

"Nay," replied he, "perhaps you ought to stay here till you are better?"

"I am better," said she, "and ready to go with you."----Half afraid that
he meant to send her from him.

He perceived her fears, and replied, "Nay, if you stay, so shall I--and
when I go, I shall take you along with me to my h