t forgiving temper, she frequently felt concerned that
he did not speak to her, although it had been to find fault as usual--and
one morning as they were all, after a long ramble, drawing towards her
house, where Lord Elmwood was invited to dine, she could not restrain
dropping a tear at seeing Sandford turn back and wish them a "Good day."

But though she had the generosity to forgive an affront, she had not the
humility to make a concession; and she foresaw that nothing less than
some very humble atonement on her part would prevail upon the haughty
priest to be reconciled. Dorriforth saw her concern upon this last
trifling occasion with a secret pleasure, and an admiration that she had
never before excited. She once insinuated to him to be a mediator
between them; but before any accommodation could take place, the peace
and composure of their abode were disturbed by the arrival of Sir Edward
Ashton at Lord Elmwood's, where it appeared as if he had been invited in
order to pursue his matrimonial plan.

At a dinner given by Lord Elmwood, Sir Edward was announced as an
unexpected visitor; Miss Milner did not suppose him such, and she turned
pale when his name was uttered. Dorriforth fixed his eyes upon her with
some tokens of compassion, while Sandford seemed to exult, and by his
repeated "Welcomes" to the Baronet, gave proofs how much he was rejoiced
to see him. All the declining enmity of Miss Milner was renewed at this
behaviour, and suspecting Sandford as the instigator of the visit, she
could not overcome her displeasure, but gave way to it in a manner she
thought the most mortifying. Sir Edward, in the course of conversation,
enquired "What neighbours were in the country;" and she, with an
appearance of high satisfaction, named Lord Frederick Lawnly as being
hourly expected at his uncle's. The colour spread over Sir Edward's
face--Dorriforth was confounded--and Mr. Sandford looked enraged.

"Did Lord Frederick tell _you_ he should be down?" Sandford asked of
Dorriforth.

To which he replied, "No."

"But I hope, Mr. Sandford, you will permit _me_ to know?" said Miss
Milner. For as she now meant to torment him by what she said, she no
longer constrained herself to silence--and as he harboured the same kind
intention towards her, he had no longer any objection to make a reply,
and therefore answered,

"No, madam, if it depended upon my permission, you should _not_ know."

"Not _any thing_, Sir, I dare say; you