guardian comes
in;--she was disappointed; he perceived that she was, and he looked at
her with a most serious face;--she immediately called to mind the
assurance he had given her, "That her acquaintance with Lord Frederick
in its then improper state should not continue," and between chagrin and
confusion, she was at a loss how to behave.

Though the ladies were all present, Dorriforth said, without the
smallest reserve, "Perhaps, Miss Milner, you may think I have taken an
unwarrantable liberty, in giving orders to your servants to deny you to
Lord Frederick; but until his Lordship and I have had a private
conference, or you condescend to declare your sentiments more fully in
regard to his visits, I think it my duty to put an end to them."

"You will always perform your duty, Mr. Dorriforth, I have no doubt,
whether I concur or not."

"Yet believe me, madam, I should perform it more cheerfully, if I could
hope that it was sanctioned by your inclinations."

"I am not mistress of my inclinations, Sir, or they should conform to
yours."

"Place them under my direction, and I will answer for it they will."

A servant came in--"Lord Frederick is returned, Sir, and says he should
be glad to see you."

"Shew him into the study," cried Dorriforth hastily, and rising from his
chair, left the room.

"I hope they won't quarrel," said Mrs. Horton, meaning, that she thought
they would.

"I am sorry to see you so uneasy, Miss Milner," said Miss Fenton, with
perfect unconcern.

As the badness of the weather had prevented their usual morning's
exercise, the ladies were employed at their needles till the dinner bell
called them away. "Do you think Lord Frederick is gone?" then whispered
Miss Milner to Miss Woodley.--"I think not," she replied.--"Go ask of the
servants, dear creature." And Miss Woodley went out of the room. She
soon returned and said, apart, "He is now getting into his chariot; I
saw him pass in violent haste through the hall; he seemed to fly."

"Ladies, the dinner is waiting," cried Mrs. Horton, and they repaired to
the dining room, where Dorriforth soon after came, and engrossed their
whole attention by his disturbed looks, and unusual silence. Before
dinner was over, he was, however, more himself, but still he appeared
thoughtful and dissatisfied. At the time of their evening walk he
excused himself from accompanying them, and they saw him in a distant
field with Mr. Sandford in earnest conversation; for