th them."

Not a word of reply did this demand; or if it had, not a word could she
have given.

"And now, Madam, the reason of my desire to speak with you--is, to know
the means you think most proper to pursue, in order to acquaint Lord
Frederick, that notwithstanding this late repulse, there are hopes of
your partiality in his favour."

"Defer the explanation," she replied eagerly.

"I beg your pardon--it cannot be. Besides, how can you indulge a
disposition thus unpitying? Even so ardently did I desire to render the
man who loves you happy, that though he came armed against my life, had
I not reflected, that previous to our engagement it would appear like
fear, and the means of bartering for his forgiveness, I should have
revealed your sentiments the moment I had seen him. When the engagement
was over, I was too impatient to acquaint you with his safety, to think
then on gratifying him. And indeed, the delicacy of the declaration,
after the many denials which you have no doubt given him, should be
considered. I therefore consult your opinion upon the manner in which it
shall be made."

"Mr. Dorriforth, can you allow nothing to the moments of surprise, and
that pity, which the fate impending inspired? and which might urge me to
express myself of Lord Frederick, in a manner my cooler thoughts will
not warrant?"

"There was nothing in your expressions, my dear Miss Milner, the least
equivocal--if you were off your guard when you pleaded for Lord
Frederick, as I believe you were, you said more sincerely what you
thought; and no discreet, or rather indiscreet attempts to retract, can
make me change these sentiments."

"I am very sorry," she replied, confused and trembling.

"Why sorry? Come give me commission to reveal your partiality. I'll not
be too hard upon you--a hint from me will do. Hope is ever apt to
interpret the slightest words to its own use, and a lover's hope is
beyond all others, sanguine."

"I never gave Lord Frederick hope."

"But you never plunged him into despair."

"His pursuit intimates that I never have, but he has no other proof."

"However light and frivolous you have been upon frivolous subjects, yet
I must own, Miss Milner, that I did expect when a case of this
importance came seriously before you, you would have discovered a proper
stability in your behaviour."

"I do, Sir; and it was only when I was affected with a weakness, which
arose from accident, that I have betrayed incons