A Simple Story

by Mrs. Inchbald

  CHAPTER X.

  Mr. Sandford finding his friend Dorriforth frequently perplexed in themanagement of his ward, and he himself thinking her incorrigible, gavehis counsel, that a suitable match should be immediately sought out forher, and the care of so dangerous a person given into other hands.Dorriforth acknowledged the propriety of this advice, but lamented thedifficulty of pleasing his ward as to the quality of her lover; for shehad refused, besides Sir Edward Ashton, many others of equalpretensions. "Depend upon it then," cried Sandford, "that her affectionsare engaged; and it is proper that you should know to whom." Dorriforththought he did know, and mentioned Lord Frederick; but said that he hadno farther authority for the supposition than what his observation hadgiven him, for that every explanation both upon his and her side hadbeen evaded. "Take her then," cried Sandford, "into the country, and ifLord Frederick should not follow, there is an end of your suspicions."

  "I shall not easily prevail upon Miss Milner to leave town," replied he,"while it is in the highest fashion."

  "You can but try," returned Sandford; "and if you should not succeednow, at least fix the time you mean to go during the autumn, and be firmto your determination."

  "But in the autumn," replied Dorriforth, "Lord Frederick will of coursebe in the country; and as his uncle's estate is near our residence, hewill not then so evidently follow her, as he would if I could induce herto go now."

  It was agreed the attempt should be made. Instead of receiving thisabrupt proposal with uneasiness, Miss Milner, to the surprise of allpresent, immediately consented; and gave her guardian an opportunity ofsaying several of the kindest and politest things upon her readycompliance.

  "A token of approbation from you, Mr. Dorriforth," returned she, "Ialways considered with high estimation--but your commendations are nowbecome infinitely superior in value by their scarcity; for I do notbelieve that since Miss Fenton and Mr. Sandford came to town, I havereceived one testimony of your esteem."

  Had these words been uttered with pleasantry, they might have passedwithout observation; but at the conclusion of the period, resentmentflew to Miss Milner's face, and she darted a piercing look at Mr.Sandford, which more pointedly expressed that she was angry with him,than if she had spoken volumes in her usual strain of raillery.Dorriforth was confused--but the concern which she had so plainly evincedfor his good opinion throughout all that she had been saying, silencedany rebuke he might else have given her, for this unwarrantable chargeagainst his friend. Mrs. Horton was shocked at the irreverent manner inwhich Mr. Sandford was treated--and Miss Woodley turned to him with abenevolent smile upon her face, hoping to set him an example of themanner in which he should receive the reproach. Her good wishes did notsucceed--yet he was perfectly unruffled, and replied with coolness,

  "The air of the country has affected the lady already--but it is acomfortable thing," continued he, "that in the variety of humours towhich some women are exposed, they cannot be uniform even in deceit."

  "Deceit!" cried Miss Milner, "in what am I deceitful? did I ever pretendthat I had an esteem for you?"

  "That would not have been deceit, Madam, but merely good manners."

  "I never, Mr. Sandford, sacrificed truth to politeness."

  "Except when the country has been proposed, and you thought itpoliteness to appear satisfied."

  "And I _was_ satisfied, till I recollected that you might probably be ofthe party--then, every grove was changed into a wilderness, every rivuletinto a stagnated pool, and every singing bird into a croaking raven."

  "A very poetical description," returned he calmly. "But, Miss Milner,you need not have had any apprehensions of _my_ company in the country,for I understand the seat to which your guardian means to go, belongs toyou; and you may depend upon it, Madam, that I shall never enter a housein which you are the mistress."

  "Nor any house, I am certain, Mr. Sandford, but in which you areyourself the master."

  "What do you mean, Madam? (and for the first time he elevated hisvoice,) am I the master here?"

  "Your servants," replied she, looking at the company, "will not tell youso; but I do."

  "You condescend, Mr. Sandford," cried Mrs. Horton, "in talking so muchto a young heedless woman; but I know you do it for her good."

  "Well, Miss Milner," cried Dorriforth, (and the most cutting thing hecould say,) "since I find my proposal of the country has put you out ofhumour, I shall mention it no more."

  With all that quantity of resentment, anger, or rage, which sometimesboiled in the veins of Miss Milner, she was yet never wanting in thatrespect towards her guardian, which with-held her from ever uttering oneangry sentence, directed immediately to him; and a severe word of his,instead of exasperating, was sure to subdue her. This was the case atpresent--his words wounded her to the heart, but she had not the asperityto reply to them as she thought they merited, and she burst into tears.Dorriforth, instead of being concerned, as he usually was at seeing heruneasy, appeared on the present occasion provoked. He thought herweeping was a new reproach to his friend Mr. Sandford, and that tosuffer himself to be moved by it, would be a tacit condemnation of hisfriend's conduct. She understood his thoughts, and getting the betterof her tears, apologised for her weakness; adding,

  "She could never bear with indifference an unjust accusation."

  "To prove that mine was unjust, Madam," replied Dorriforth; "be preparedto quit London, without any marks of regret, in a few days."

  She bowed assent; the necessary preparations were agreed upon; and whilewith apparent satisfaction she adjusted the plan of her journey, (likethose who behave well, not so much to please themselves as to vex theirenemies,) she secretly triumphed in the mortification she hoped that Mr.Sandford would receive from her obedient behaviour.

  The news of this intended journey was of course soon made public. Thereis a secret charm in being pitied, when the misfortune is but ideal; andMiss Milner found infinite gratification in being told, "That her's wasa cruel case, and that it was unjust and barbarous to force so muchbeauty into concealment while London was filled with her admirers; who,like her, would languish in consequence of her solitude." These things,and a thousand such, a thousand times repeated, she still listened towith pleasure; yet preserved the constancy not to shrink from herresolution of submitting.

  Those involuntary sighs, however, that Miss Woodley had long agoobserved, became still more frequent; and a tear half starting in hereye was an additional subject of her friend's observation. Yet thoughMiss Milner at those times was softened into melancholy, she by no meansappeared unhappy. Her friend was acquainted with love only by name; yetshe was confirmed from these increased symptoms, in what she before onlysuspected, that _love_ must be the foundation of her care. "Her senseshave been captivated by the person and accomplishments of LordFrederick," said Miss Woodley to herself, "but her understanding compelsher to see his faults, and reproaches her passion.--And, oh!" cried she,"could her guardian and Mr. Sandford know of this conflict, how muchwould they have to admire; how little to condemn!"

  With such friendly thoughts, and with the purest intentions, MissWoodley did not fail to give both gentlemen reason to believe, acontention of this nature was the actual state of Miss Milner's mind.Dorriforth was affected at the description, and Sandford urged more thanever the necessity of leaving town. In a few days they departed; Mrs.Horton, Miss Woodley, Miss Milner, and Mr. Dorriforth, accompanied byMiss Fenton, whom Miss Milner, knowing it to be the wish of herguardian, invited, for three months before her marriage, to her countryseat. Elmwood House, or rather Castle, the seat of Lord Elmwood, wasonly a few miles distant from this residence, and he was expected topass great part of the summer there, with his tutor, Mr. Sandford.

  In the neighbourhood was also (as it has been already said) an estatebelonging to an uncle of Lord Frederick's, and most of the partysuspected they should soon see him on a visit there. To that expectationthey in great measure attributed Miss Milner's visible content.