anding to get the better of his affection--"

The same arguments were going to be repeated; but Miss Woodley
interrupted her, by requiring an explanation of her conduct as to Lord
Frederick, whom, at least, she was treating with cruelty, if she only
made use of his affection to stimulate that of Lord Elmwood.

"By no means, my dear Miss Woodley," returned she--"I have, indeed, done
with my Lord Frederick from this day; and he has certainly given me the
proof I wanted of Lord Elmwood's love; but then I did not engage him to
this by the smallest ray of hope. No; do not suspect me of that, while
my heart was another's: and I assure you, seriously, that it was from
the circumstance we described he came with me home--yet, I must own, that
if I had not had this design upon Lord Elmwood's jealousy in idea, I
would have walked on foot through the streets, rather than have suffered
his rival's civilities. But he pressed his services so violently, and my
Lady Evans (in whose coach I was when the accident happened) pressed me
so violently to accept them, that he cannot expect any farther meaning
from this acquiescence than my own convenience."

Miss Woodley was going to reply, when she resumed,

"Nay, if you intend to say I have done wrong, still I am not sorry for
it, when it has given me such convincing proofs of Lord Elmwood's love.
Did you see him? I am afraid you did not see how he trembled? and that
manly voice faltered, as mine does sometimes--his proud heart was humbled
too, as mine is now and then. Oh! Miss Woodley, I have been
counterfeiting indifference to _him_--I now find that all _his_
indifference to _me_ has been counterfeit, and that we not only love,
but love equally."

"Suppose this all as you hope--I yet think it highly necessary that your
guardian should be informed, seriously informed, it was mere accident
(for, at present, that plea seems but as a subterfuge) which brought
Lord Frederick hither."

"No, that will be destroying the work so successfully begun. I will not
suffer any explanation to take place, but let my Lord Elmwood act just
as his love shall dictate; and now I have no longer a doubt of its
excess, instead of stooping to him, I wait in the certain expectation of
his submission to me."

CHAPTER XI.

In vain, for three long days, did Miss Milner wait impatiently for this
submission; not a sign, not a symptom appeared--nay, Lord Elmwood had,
since the evening of Lord Frederick's vi