; and at
length represented to her here, for the first time, the necessity, "That
Mr. Dorriforth and she no longer should remain under the same roof."
This was like the stroke of sudden death to Miss Milner, and clinging to
life, she endeavoured to avert the blow by prayers, and by promises. Her
friend loved her too sincerely to be prevailed upon.

"But in what manner can I accomplish the separation?" cried she, "for
till I marry we are obliged, by my father's request, to live in the same
house."

"Miss Milner," answered Miss Woodley, "much as I respect the will of a
dying man, I regard your and Mr. Dorriforth's present and eternal
happiness much more; and it is my resolution that you _shall part._ If
_you_ will not contrive the means, that duty falls on me, and without
any invention I see the measure at once."

"What is it?" cried Miss Milner eagerly.

"I will reveal to Mr. Dorriforth, without hesitation, the real state of
your heart; which your present inconsistency of conduct will but too
readily confirm."

"You would not plunge me into so much shame, into so much anguish!"
cried she, distractedly.

"No," replied Miss Woodley, "not for the world, if you will separate
from him by any mode of your own--but that you _shall_ separate is my
determination; and in spite of all your sufferings, this shall be the
expedient, unless you instantly agree to some other."

"Good Heaven, Miss Woodley! is this your friendship?"

"Yes--and the truest friendship I have to bestow. Think what a task I
undertake for your sake and his, when I condemn myself to explain to him
your weakness. What astonishment! what confusion! what remorse, do I
foresee painted upon his face! I hear him call you by the harshest
names, and behold him fly from your sight for ever, as an object of his
detestation."

"Oh spare the dreadful picture.--Fly from my sight for ever! Detest my
name! Oh! my dear Miss Woodley, let but his friendship for me still
remain, and I will consent to any thing. You may command me. I will go
away from him directly--but let us part in friendship--Oh! without the
friendship of Mr. Dorriforth, life would be a heavy burthen indeed."

Miss Woodley immediately began to contrive schemes for their separation;
and, with all her invention alive on the subject, the following was the
only natural one that she could form.

Miss Milner, in a letter to her distant relation at Bath, was to
complain of the melancholy of a country life