ham sent them
immediate word of this, and they both hastened to Bath, and arrived
there just as the violence and danger of her disorder had ceased. As
soon as she became perfectly recollected, her first care, knowing the
frailty of her heart, was to enquire what she had uttered while
delirious. Miss Woodley, who was by her bedside, begged her not to be
alarmed on that account, and assured her she knew, from all her
attendants, that she had only spoken with a friendly remembrance (as was
really the case) of those persons who were dear to her.

She wished to know whether her guardian was come to see her, but she
had not the courage to ask before her friend; and she in her turn was
afraid by the too sudden mention of his name, to discompose her. Her
maid, however, after some little time, entered the chamber, and
whispered Miss Woodley. Miss Milner asked inquisitively "What she said?"

The maid replied softly, "Lord Elmwood, Madam, wishes to come and see
you for a few moments, if you will allow him."

At this reply Miss Milner stared wildly.

"I thought," said she, "I thought Lord Elmwood had been dead--are my
senses disordered still?"

"No, my dear," answered Miss Woodley, "it is the present Lord Elmwood
who wishes to see you; he whom you left ill when you came hither, _is_
dead."

"And who is the present Lord Elmwood?" she asked.

Miss Woodley, after a short hesitation, replied--"Your guardian."

"And so he is," cried Miss Milner; "he is the next heir--I had forgot.
But is it possible that he is here?"

"Yes--" returned Miss Woodley with a grave voice and manner, to moderate
that glow of satisfaction which for a moment sparkled even in her
languid eye, and blushed over her pallid countenance. "Yes--as he heard
you were ill, he thought it right to come and see you."

"He is very good," she answered, and the tear started in her eyes.

"Would you please to see his Lordship?" asked her maid.

"Not yet, not yet," she replied; "let me recollect myself first." And
she looked with a timid doubt upon her friend, to ask if it was proper.

Miss Woodley could hardly support this humble reference to her judgment,
from the wan face of the poor invalid, and taking her by the hand,
whispered, "You shall do what you please." In a few minutes Lord Elmwood
was introduced.

To those who sincerely love, every change of situation or circumstances
in the object beloved, appears an advantage. So, the acquisition of a
title and e