A Simple Story
Page 25
CHAPTER VI.
Miss Woodley stood for some time to consider which way she was to go.The first person she met, would enquire why she had been weeping? and ifMiss Milner was to ask the question, in what words could she tell, or inwhat manner deny the truth? To avoid her was her first caution, and shetook the only method; she had a hackney-coach ordered, rode severalmiles out of town, and returned to dinner with so little remains of herswoln eyes, that complaining of the head-ache was a sufficient excusefor them.
Miss Milner was enough recovered to be present at dinner, though shescarce tasted a morsel. Lord Elmwood did not dine at home, at which MissWoodley rejoiced, but at which Mr. Sandford appeared highlydisappointed. He asked the servants several times, what he said when hewent out? They replied, "Nothing more than that he should not be at hometo dinner."
"I can't imagine where he dines?" said Sandford.
"Bless me, Mr. Sandford, can't you guess?" (cried Mrs. Horton, who bythis time was made acquainted with his intended marriage) "He dines withMiss Fenton to be sure."
"No," replied Sandford, "he is not there; I came from thence just now,and they had not seen him all day." Poor Miss Milner, on this, atesomething; for where we hope for nothing, we receive small indulgencieswith joy.
Notwithstanding the anxiety and trouble under which Miss Woodley hadlaboured all the morning, her heart for many weeks had not felt so lightas it did this day at dinner. The confidence that she reposed in thepromises of Lord Elmwood--the firm reliance she had upon his delicacy andhis justice--the unabated kindness with which her friend received her,while she knew that no one suspicious thought had taken harbour in herbosom--and the conscious integrity of her own intentions, though shemight have been misled by her judgment, all comforted her with the hope,she had done nothing she ought to wish recalled. But although she feltthus tranquil, in respect to what she had divulged, yet she was a gooddeal embarrassed with the dread of next seeing Lord Elmwood.
Miss Milner, not having spirits to go abroad, passed the evening athome. She read part of a new opera, played upon her guitar, mused,sighed, occasionally talked with Miss Woodley, and so passed the tedioushours till near ten, when Mrs. Horton asked Mr. Sandford to play a gameat piquet, and on his excusing himself, Miss Milner offered in hisstead, and was gladly accepted. They had just begun to play when LordElmwood came into the room--Miss Milner's countenance immediatelybrightened, and though she was in a negligent morning dress, and lookedpaler than usual, she did not look less beautiful. Miss Woodley wasleaning on the back of her chair to observe the game, and Mr. Sandfordsat reading one of the Fathers at the other side of the fire place. LordElmwood, as he advanced to the table, bowed, not having seen the ladiessince the morning, or Miss Milner that day: they returned the salute,and he was going up to Miss Milner, (as if to enquire of her health)when Mr. Sandford, laying down his book, said,
"My Lord, where have you been all day?"
"I have been very busy," replied he, and walking from the card-table,went up to him.
Miss Milner played one card for another.
"You have been at Mr. Fenton's this evening, I suppose?" said Sandford.
"No; not at all to-day."
"How came that about, my Lord?"
Miss Milner played the ace of diamonds instead of the king of hearts.
"I shall call to-morrow," answered Lord Elmwood; and then walking with avery ceremonious air up to Miss Milner, said, "He hoped she wasperfectly recovered."
Mrs. Horton begged her "To mind what she was about." She replied, "I ammuch better, Sir."
He then returned to Sandford again; but never, during all this time, didhis eye once encounter Miss Woodley's; and she, with equal care, avoidedhis.
Some cold dishes were now brought up for supper--Miss Milner lost herdeal, and the game ended.
As they were arranging themselves at the supper-table, "Do, MissMilner," said Mrs. Horton, "have something warm for your supper; achicken boiled, or something of that kind; you have eat nothing to-day."
With feelings of humanity, and apparently no other sensation--but neverdid he feel his philanthropy so forcible--Lord Elmwood said, "Let me begof you, Miss Milner, to have something provided for you."
The earnestness and emphasis with which these few words werepronounced, were more flattering than the finest turned compliment wouldhave been; her gratitude was expressed in blushes, and by assuring himshe was now "So well, as to sup on the dishes before her." She spoke,however, and had not made the trial; for the moment she carried a morselto her lips, she laid it on her plate again, and turned paler, from thevain endeavour to force her appetite. Lord Elmwood had always beenattentive to her; but now he watched her as he would a child; and whenhe saw by her struggles that she could not eat, he took her plate fromher; gave her something else; and all with a care and watchfulness inhis looks, as if he had been a tender-hearted boy, and she his darlingbird, the loss of which would embitter all the joy of his holidays.
This attention had something in it so tender, so officious, and yet sosincere, that it brought the tears into Miss Woodley's eyes, attractedthe notice of Mr. Sandford, and the observation of Mrs. Horton; whilethe heart of Miss Milner overflowed with a gratitude, that gave place tono sentiment except her love.
To relieve the anxiety which her guardian expressed, she endeavoured toappear cheerful, and that anxiety, at length, really made her so. He nowpressed her to take one glass of wine with such solicitude, that heseemed to say a thousand things besides. Sandford still made hisobservations, and being unused to conceal his thoughts before thepresent company, he said bluntly,
"Miss Fenton was indisposed the other night, my Lord, and you did notseem half thus anxious about her."
Had Sandford laid all Lord Elmwood's estate at Miss Milner's feet, orpresented her with that eternal bloom which adorns the face of agoddess, he would have done less to endear himself to her, than by thisone sentence--she looked at him with a most benign countenance, and feltaffliction that she had ever offended him.
"Miss Fenton," Lord Elmwood replied, "has a brother with her: her healthand happiness are in _his_ care--Miss Milner's are in mine."
"Mr. Sandford," said Miss Milner, "I am afraid that I behaved uncivillyto you last night--will you accept of an atonement?"
"No, Madam," returned he, "I accept no expiation without amendment."
"Well, then," said she, smiling, "suppose I promise never to offend youagain, what then?"
"Why, then, you'll break your promise."
"Do not promise him," said Lord Elmwood, "for he means to provoke you toit."
In the like conversation the evening passed, and Miss Milner retired torest in far better spirits than her morning's prospect had given her theleast pretence to hope. Miss Woodley, too, had cause to be well pleased;but her pleasure was in great measure eclipsed by the reflection, thatthere was such a person as Miss Fenton--she wished she had been equallyacquainted with her's as with Miss Milner's heart, and she would thenhave acted without injustice to either; but Miss Fenton had of lateshunned their society, and even in their company was of a temper tooreserved ever to discover her mind; Miss Woodley was obliged, therefore,to act to the best of her own judgment only, and leave all events toProvidence.