d, 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 evinced
for his good opinion throughout all that she had been saying, silenced
any rebuke he might else have given her, for this unwarrantable charge
against his friend. Mrs. Horton was shocked at the irreverent manner in
which Mr. Sandford was treated--and Miss Woodley turned to him with a
benevolent smile upon her face, hoping to set him an example of the
manner in which he should receive the reproach. Her good wishes did not
succeed--yet he was perfectly unruffled, and replied with coolness,

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

"Deceit!" cried Miss Milner, "in what am I deceitful? did I ever pretend
that 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 it
politeness to appear satisfied."

"And I _was_ satisfied, till I recollected that you might probably be of
the party--then, every grove was changed into a wilderness, every rivulet
into 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 to
you; and you may depend upon it, Madam, that I shall never enter a house
in which you are the mistress."

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

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

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

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

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

With all that quantity of resentment, anger, or rage, which sometimes
boiled in the veins