r recollection what they
had been--she recalled, with delight, the ardour with which he had first
declared his passion to her, and the thousand proofs he had since given
of its reality. From the constancy of his disposition, she depended that
sentiments like these were not totally eradicated; and from the extreme
desire which Mr. Sandford now, more than ever, discovered of
depreciating her in his patron's esteem--from the now, more than common
zeal, which urged him to take Lord Elmwood from her company, whenever
he had it in his power, she was led to believe, that while his friend
entertained such strong fears of his relapsing into love, she had reason
to indulge the strongest hopes that he would.

But the reserve, and even indifference, that she had so well assumed for
a few days, and which might perhaps have effected her design, she had
not the patience to persevere in, without calling levity to their aid.
She visited repeatedly without saying where, or with whom--kept later
hours than usual--appeared in the highest spirits--sung, laughed, and
never heaved a sigh--but when she was alone.

Still Lord Elmwood protracted a resolution, that he was determined he
would never break when taken.

Miss Woodley was excessively uneasy, and with cause; she saw her friend
was providing herself with a weight of cares, that she would soon find
infinitely too much for her strength to bear--she would have reasoned
with her, but all her arguments had long since proved unavailing. She
wished to speak to Lord Elmwood upon the subject, and (unknown to her)
plead her excuse; but he apprehended Miss Woodley's intention, and
evidently shunned her. Mr. Sandford was now the only person to whom she
could speak of Miss Milner, and the delight he took to expatiate on her
faults, was more sorrow to her friend, than not to speak of her at all.
She, therefore, sat a silent spectator, waiting with dread for the time
when she, who now scorned her advice, would fly to her in vain for
comfort.

Sandford had, however, said one thing to Miss Woodley, which gave her a
ray of hope. During their conversation on the subject, (not by way of
consolation to her, but as a reproach to Lord Elmwood) he one day
angrily exclaimed, "And yet, notwithstanding all this provocation, he
has not come to the determination that he will think no more of her--he
lingers and he hesitates--I never saw him so weak upon any occasion
before."

This was joyful hearing to Miss Wo