all the persons he could recollect, in order to arrive at the
knowledge by thought, quicker than by words. It was in vain he tried;
and he once more turned his inquiring eyes upon Miss Woodley. He saw her
silent and covered with confusion. Again he searched his own thoughts;
nor ineffectually as before. At the first glance, the object was
presented, and he beheld--_himself._

The rapid emotion of varying passions, which immediately darted over his
features, informed Miss Woodley that her secret was discovered--she hid
her face, while the tears that fell down to her bosom, confirmed the
truth of his suggestion, beyond what oaths could have done. A short
interval of silence followed, during which, she suffered tortures for
the manner in which he would next address her--two seconds gave her this
reply:

"For God's sake take care what you are doing--you are destroying my
prospects of futurity--you are making this world too dear to me."

Her drooping head was then lifted up, and she caught the eye of
Dorriforth; she saw it beam expectation, amazement, joy, ardour, and
love.----Nay, there was a fire, a vehemence in the quick fascinating rays
it sent forth, she never before had seen--it filled her with alarm--she
wished him to love Miss Milner, but to love her with moderation. Miss
Woodley was too little versed in the subject, to know, this would have
been not to love at all; at least, not to the extent of breaking
through engagements, and all the various obstacles that still militated
against their union.

Lord Elmwood was sensible of the embarrassment his presence gave Miss
Woodley, and understood the reproaches which she seemed to vent upon
herself in silence. To relieve her from both, he laid his hand with
force upon his heart, and said, "Do you believe me?"

"I do, my Lord," she answered, trembling.

"I will make no unjust use of what I know," he replied with firmness.

"I believe you, my Lord."

"But for what my passions now dictate," continued he, "I will not
answer. They are confused--they are triumphant at present. I have never
yet, however, been vanquished by them; and even upon this occasion, my
reason shall combat them to the last--and my reason shall fail me, before
I do wrong."

He was going to leave the room--she followed him, and cried, "But, my
Lord, how shall I see again the unhappy object of my treachery?"

"See her," replied he, "as one to whom you meant no injury, and to whom
you have done non