A Simple Story

by Mrs. Inchbald

  CHAPTER VII.

  Within a few days, in the house of Lord Elmwood, every thing, and everyperson, wore a new face. He, was the professed lover of Miss Milner--she,the happiest of human beings--Miss Woodley partaking in the joy--Mr.Sandford lamenting, with the deepest concern, that Miss Fenton had beensupplanted; and what added poignantly to his concern was, that she hadbeen supplanted by Miss Milner. Though a churchman, he bore hisdisappointment with the impatience of one of the laity: he could hardlyspeak to Lord Elmwood; he would not look at Miss Milner, and wasdispleased with every one. It was his intention, when he first becameacquainted with Lord Elmwood's resolution, to quit his house; and as theEarl had, with the utmost degree of inflexibility, resisted all his goodcounsel upon this subject, he resolved, in quitting him, never to be hisadviser again. But, in preparing to leave his friend, his pupil, hispatron, and yet him, who, upon most occasions, implicitly obeyed hiswill, the spiritual got the better of the temporal man, and hedetermined to stay, lest in totally abandoning him to the pursuit of hisown passions, he should make his punishment even greater than hisoffence. "My Lord," said he, "on the stormy sea, upon which you areembarked, though you will not shun the rocks that your faithful pilotwould point out, he will, nevertheless, sail in your company, and lamentover your watery grave. The more you slight my advice, the more you wantit; so that, until you command me to leave your house, (as I suppose youwill soon do, to oblige your Lady) I will continue along with you."

  Lord Elmwood liked him sincerely, and was glad that he took thisresolution; yet as soon as his reason and affections had once told himthat he ought to break with Miss Fenton, and marry his ward, he becameso decidedly of this opinion, that Sandford's never had the most trivialweight; nor would he even flatter the supposed authority he possessedover him, by urging him to remain in his house a single day, contrary tohis inclinations. Sandford observed, with grief, this firmness; butfinding it vain to contend, submitted--not, however, with a good grace.

  Amidst all the persons affected by this change in Lord Elmwood'smarriage-designs, Miss Fenton was, perhaps, affected the least--she wouldhave been content to have married, she was content to live single. Mr.Sandford had been the first who made overtures to her on the part ofLord Elmwood, and was the first sent to ask her to dispense with theobligation.--She received both of these proposals with the same insipidsmile of approbation, and the same cold indifference at the heart.

  It was a perfect knowledge of this disposition in his intended wifewhich had given to Lord Elmwood's thoughts on matrimony, the idea ofdreary winter; but the sensibility of Miss Milner had now reversed thatprospect into perpetual spring; or the dearer variety of spring, summer,and autumn.

  It was a knowledge also of this torpor in Miss Fenton's nature, fromwhich he formed the purpose of breaking with her; for Lord Elmwoodstill retained enough of the sanctity of his former state to haveyielded up his own happiness, and even that of his beloved ward, ratherthan have plunged one heart into affliction by his perfidy. This, beforehe offered his hand to Miss Milner, he was perfectly convinced would notbe the case--even Miss Fenton herself assured him, that her thoughts weremore upon the joys of Heaven than upon those of earth; and as thiscircumstance would, she believed, induce her to retire into a convent,she thought it a happy, rather than an unhappy, event. Her brother, onwhom her fortune devolved if she took this resolution, was exactly ofher opinion.

  Lost in the maze of happiness that surrounded her, Miss Milneroftentimes asked her heart, and her heart whispered like a flatterer,"Yes;" Are not my charms even more invincible than I ever believed themto be? Dorriforth, the grave, the pious, the anchorite Dorriforth, bytheir force, is animated to all the ardour of the most impassionedlover--while the proud priest, the austere guardian is humbled, if I butfrown, into the veriest slave of love. She then asked, "Why did I notkeep him longer in suspense? He could not have loved me more, I believe:but my power over him might have been greater still. I am the happiestof women in the affection he has proved to me, but I wonder whether itwould exist under ill treatment? If it would not, he still does not loveme as I wish to be loved--if it would, my triumph, my felicity, would beenhanced." These thoughts were mere phantoms of the brain, and never, bysystem, put into action; but, repeatedly indulged, they were practisedby casual occurrences; and the dear-bought experiment of being loved inspite of her faults, (a glory proud women ever aspire to) was, atpresent, the ambition of Miss Milner.

  Unthinking woman! she did not reflect, that to the searching eye of LordElmwood, she had faults, with her utmost care to conceal or overcomethem, sufficient to try all his love, and all his patience. But whatfemale is not fond of experiments? To which, how few do not fall asacrifice!

  Perfectly secure in the affections of the man she loved, her declininghealth no longer threatened her; her declining spirits returned asbefore; and the suspicions of her guardian being now changed to theliberal confidence of a doating lover, she again professedall her former follies, all her fashionable levities, and indulged themwith less restraint than ever.

  For a while, blinded by his passion, Lord Elmwood encouraged and admiredevery new proof of her restored happiness; nor till sufferance hadtempted her beyond her usual bounds, did he remonstrate. But she, who,as his ward, had been ever gentle, and (when he strenuously opposed)always obedient; became, as a mistress, sometimes haughty, and, toopposition, always insolent. He was surprised, but the novelty pleasedhim. And Miss Milner, whom he tenderly loved, could put on no change, orappear in no new character that did not, for the time she adopted it,seem to become her.

  Among the many causes of complaint which she gave him, want of oeconomy,in the disposal of her income, was one. Bills and drafts came upon himwithout number, while the account, on her part, of money expended,amounted chiefly to articles of dress that she sometimes never wore,toys that were out of fashion before they were paid for, and charitiesdirected by the force of whim. Another complaint was, as usual, extremelate hours, and often company that he did not approve.

  She was charmed to see his love struggling with his censure--hispoliteness with his anxiety--and by the light, frivolous, or resentfulmanner in which she treated his admonitions, she triumphed in shewing toMiss Woodley, and, more especially to Mr. Sandford, how much she daredupon the strength of his affections.

  Everything in preparation for their marriage, which was to take place atElmwood House during the summer months, she resolved for the short timeshe had to remain in London to let no occasion pass of tasting all thosepleasures that were not likely ever to return; but which, though eageras she was in their pursuit, she never placed in competition with thoseshe hoped would succeed--those more sedate and superior joys, ofdomestic and conjugal happiness. Often, merely to hasten on the tedioushours that intervened, she varied and diverted them, with the manyrecreations her intended husband could not approve.

  It so happened, and it was unfortunate it did, that a lawsuit concerningsome possessions in the West Indies, and other intricate affairs thatcame with his title and estate, frequently kept Lord Elmwood from hishouse part of the day; sometimes the whole evening; and when at home,would often closet him for hours with his lawyers. But while he was thusoff his guard, Sandford never was--and had Miss Milner been the dearestthing on earth to him, he could not have watched her more narrowly; orhad she been the frailest thing on earth, he could not have been morehard upon her, in all the accounts of her conduct he gave to herguardian. Lord Elmwood knew, on the other hand, that Sandford's failingwas to think ill of Miss Milner--he pitied him for it, and he pitied herfor it--and in all the aggravation which his representations gave to herreal follies, affection for them both, in the heart of Dorriforth, stoodbetween that and every other impression.

  But facts are glaring; and he, at length, beheld those faults in theirtrue colours, though previously pointed out by the prejudice of Mr.Sandford.

  As soon as Sandford perceived his friend's uneasiness, "There, my Lord!"cried he, exultingly, "did I not always say the marr
iage was an improperone? but you would not be ruled--you would not see."

  "Can you blame _me_ for not seeing," replied his Lordship, "when _you_were blind? Had you been dispassionate, had you seen Miss Milner'svirtues as well as her faults, I should have believed, and been guidedby you--but you saw her failings only, and therein have been equallydeceived with me, who have only beheld her perfections."

  "My observations, however, my Lord, would have been of most use to you;for I have seen what to avoid."

  "But mine have been the most gratifying," replied he; "for I haveseen--what I must always love."

  Sandford sighed, and lifted up his hands.

  "Mr. Sandford," resumed Lord Elmwood, with a voice and manner such as heused to put on when not all the power of Sandford, or of any other,could change his fixed determination, "Mr. Sandford, my eyes are nowopen to every failing, as well as to every accomplishment; to everyvice, as well as to every virtue of Miss Milner; nor will I suffermyself to be again prepossessed in her favour, by your prejudice againsther--for I believe it was compassion at your unkind treatment, that firstgained her my heart."

  "I, my Lord?" cried Sandford; "do not load me with the burthen--with themighty burthen of your love for her."

  "Do not interrupt me. Whatever your meaning has been, the effect of itis what I have described. Now, I will no longer," continued he, "have anenemy, such as you have been, to heighten her charms, which are tootranscendent in their native state. I will hear no more complaintsagainst her, but I will watch her closely myself--and if I find her mindand heart (such as my suspicions have of late whispered) too frivolousfor that substantial happiness I look for with an object so beloved,depend upon my word--the marriage shall yet be broken off."

  "I depend upon your word; it _will_ then,"--replied Sandford eagerly.

  "You are unjust, Sir, in saying so before the trial," replied LordElmwood, "and your injustice shall make me more cautious, lest I followyour example."

  "But, my Lord----"

  "My mind is made up, Mr. Sandford," returned he, interrupting him; "I amno longer engaged to Miss Milner than she shall deserve I should be--but,in my strict observations upon her conduct, I will take care not towrong her as you have done."

  "My Lord, call my observations wrong, when you have reflected upon themas a man, and not as a lover--divest yourself of your passion, and meetme upon equal ground."

  "I will meet no one--I will consult no one--my own judgment shall be thejudge, and in a few months marry, or--_banish me from her for ever_."

  There was something in these last words, in the tone and firmness withwhich they were delivered, that the heart of Sandford rested upon withcontent--they bore the symptoms of a menace that would be executed; andhe parted from his patron with congratulations upon his wisdom, and withgiving him the warmest assurances of his firm reliance on his _word._

  Lord Elmwood having come to this resolution, was more composed than hehad been for several days before; while the horror of domesticwrangles--a family without subordination--a house without oeconomy--in aword, a wife without discretion, had been perpetually present to hismind.

  Mr. Sandford, although he was a man of understanding, of learning, and acomplete casuist, yet all the faults he himself committed, wereentirely--for want of knowing better. He constantly reproved faults inothers, and he was most assuredly too good a man not to have correctedand amended his own, had they been known to him--but they were not. Hehad been for so long a time the superior of all with whom he lived, hadbeen so busied with instructing others, that he had not recollected thathimself wanted instructions--and in such awe did his habitual severitykeep all about him, that although he had numerous friends, not one toldhim of his failings--except just now Lord Elmwood, but whom, in thisinstance, as a man in love, he would not credit. Was there not then somereason for him to suppose he _had_ no faults? his enemies, indeed,hinted that he had, but enemies he never harkened to; and thus, with allhis good sense, wanted the sense to follow the rule, _Believe what yourenemies say of you, rather than what is said by your friends._ This ruleattended to, would make a thousand people amiable, who are now thereverse; and would have made _him_ a perfectly upright character. Forcould an enemy to whom he would have listened, have whispered toSandford as he left Lord Elmwood, "Cruel, barbarous man! you go awaywith your heart satisfied, nay, even elated, in the prospect that MissMilner's hopes, on which she alone exists, those hopes which keep herfrom the deepest affliction, and cherish her with joy and gladness, willall be disappointed. You flatter yourself it is for the sake of yourfriend, Lord Elmwood, that you rejoice, and because he has escaped adanger. You wish him well; but there is another cause for yourexultation which you will not seek to know--it is, that in his safety,shall dwell the punishment of his ward. For shame! for shame! forgiveher faults, as this of yours requires to be forgiven."

  Had any one said this to Sandford, whom he would have credited, or hadhis own heart suggested it, he was a man of that rectitude andconscientiousness, that he would have returned immediately to LordElmwood, and have strengthened all his favourable opinions of hisintended wife--but having no such monitor, he walked on, highlycontented, and meeting Miss Woodley, said, with an air of triumph,

  "Where's your friend? where's Lady Elmwood?"

  Miss Woodley smiled, and answered--She was gone with such and such ladiesto an auction. "But why give her that title already, Mr. Sandford?"

  "Because," answered he, "I think she will never have it."

  "Bless me, Mr. Sandford," said Miss Woodley, "you shock me!"

  "I thought I should," replied he, "and therefore I told it you."

  "For Heaven's sake what has happened?"

  "Nothing new--her indiscretions only."

  "I know she is imprudent," said Miss Woodley--"I can see that her conductis often exceptionable--but then Lord Elmwood surely loves her, and lovewill overlook a great deal."

  "He _does_ love her--but he has understanding and resolution. He lovedhis sister too, tenderly loved her, and yet when he had taken theresolution, and passed his word that he would never see her again--evenupon her death-bed he would not retract it--no entreaties could prevailupon him. And now, though he maintains, and I dare say loves, her child,yet you remember, when you brought him home, that he would not sufferhim in his sight."

  "Poor Miss Milner!" said Miss Woodley, in the most pitying accents.

  "Nay," said Sandford, "Lord Elmwood has not _yet_ passed his word, thathe will never see her more--he has only threatened to do it; but I knowenough of him to know, that his threats are generally the same as ifthey were executed."

  "You are very good," said Miss Woodley, "to acquaint me of this intime--I may now warn Miss Milner of it, and she may observe morecircumspection."

  "By no means," cried Sandford, hastily--"What would you warn her for? Itwill do her no good--besides," added he, "I don't know whether LordElmwood does not expect secrecy on my part; and if he does----"

  "But, with all deference to your opinion," said Miss Woodley, (and withall deference did she speak) "don't you think, Mr. Sandford, thatsecrecy upon this occasion would be wicked? For consider the anguishthat it may occasion to my friend; and if, by advising her, we can saveher from----" She was going on.----

  "You may call it wicked, Madam, not to inform her of what I have hintedat," cried he; "but I call it a breach of confidence--if it _was_divulged to me in confidence----"

  He was going to explain; but Miss Milner entered, and put an end to thediscourse. She had been passing the whole morning at an auction, and hadlaid out near two hundred pounds in different things for which she hadno one use, but bought them because they were said to be cheap--among therest was a lot of books upon chemistry, and some Latin authors.

  "Why, Madam," cried Sandford, looking over the catalogue where herpurchases were marked by a pencil, "do you know what you have done? Youcan't read a word of these books."

  "Can't I, Mr. Sandford? But I assure you that you will be very muchpleased with the
m, when you see how elegantly they are bound."

  "My dear," said Mrs. Horton, "why have you bought china? You and my LordElmwood have more now, than you have places to put them in."

  "Very true, Mrs. Horton--I forgot that--but then you know I can give theseaway."

  Lord Elmwood was in the room at the conclusion of this conversation----heshook his head and sighed.

  "My Lord," said she, "I have had a very agreeable morning; but I wishedfor you--if you had been with me, I should have bought a great many otherthings; but I did not like to appear unreasonable in your absence."

  Sandford fixed his inquisitive eyes upon Lord Elmwood, to observe hiscountenance--he smiled, but appeared thoughtful.

  "And, oh! my Lord, I have bought you a present," said she.

  "I do not wish for a present, Miss Milner."

  "What not from me? Very well."

  "If you present me with yourself, it is all that I ask."

  Sandford moved upon his chair, as if he sat uneasy.

  "Why then, Miss Woodley," said Miss Milner, "_you_ shall have thepresent. But then it won't suit you--it is for a gentleman. I'll keep itand give it to my Lord Frederick the first time I meet with him. I sawhim this morning, and he looked divinely--I longed to speak to him."

  Miss Woodley cast, by stealth, an eye of apprehension upon LordElmwood's face, and trembled at seeing it flushed with resentment.

  Sandford stared with both his eyes full upon him: then threw himselfupright on his chair, and took a pinch of snuff upon the strength of theEarl's uneasiness.

  A silence ensued.

  After a short time--"You all appear melancholy," said Miss Milner: "Iwish I had not come home yet."

  Miss Woodley was in agony--she saw Lord Elmwood's extreme displeasure,and dreaded lest he should express it by some words he could not recall,or she could not forgive--therefore, whispering to her she had somethingparticular to say, she took her out of the room.

  The moment she was gone, Mr. Sandford rose nimbly from his seat, rubbedhis hands, walked briskly across the room, then asked Lord Elmwood in acheerful tone, "Whether he dined at home to-day?"

  That which had given Sandford cheerfulness, had so depressed LordElmwood, that he sat dejected and silent. At length he answered in afaint voice, "No, I believe I shall _not_ dine at home."

  "Where is your Lordship going to dine?" asked Mrs. Horton; "I thought weshould have had your company to-day; Miss Milner dines at home, Ibelieve."

  "I have not yet determined where I shall dine," replied he, taking nonotice of the conclusion of her speech.

  "My Lord, if you mean to go to the hotel, I'll go with you, if youplease," cried Sandford officiously.

  "With all my heart, Sandford--" and they both went out together, beforeMiss Milner returned to the apartment.