ot utter a syllable. Yet he took her hand, and
held it closely between his. He then bowed most respectfully and left
her.

No "I wish you well;--I wish you health and happiness." No "Prayers for
blessings on her." Not even the word "Farewell," escaped his
lips--perhaps, to have attempted any of these, might have choaked his
utterance.

She had behaved with fortitude the whole evening, and she continued to
do so, till the moment he turned away from her. Her eyes then overflowed
with tears, and in the agony of her mind, not knowing what she did, she
laid her cold hand upon the person next to her--it happened to be
Sandford; but not observing it was he, she grasped his hand with
violence--yet he did not snatch it away, nor look at her with his wonted
severity. And thus she stood, silent and motionless, while Lord Elmwood,
now at the door, bowed once more to all the company, and retired.

Sandford had still Miss Milner's hand fixed upon his; and when the door
was shut after Lord Elmwood, he turned his head to look in her face, and
turned it with some marks of apprehension for the grief he might find
there. She strove to overcome that grief, and after a heavy sigh, sat
down, as if resigned to the fate to which she was decreed.

Instead of following Lord Elmwood, as usual, Sandford poured out a glass
of wine, and drank it. A general silence ensued for near three minutes.
At last, turning himself round on his seat, towards Miss Milner, who sat
like a statue of despair at his side, "Will you breakfast with us
to-morrow?" said he.

She made no answer.

"We shan't breakfast before half after six," continued he, "I dare say;
and if you can rise so early--why do."

"Miss Milner," said Miss Woodley, (for she caught eagerly at the hope of
her passing this night in less unhappiness than she had foreboded) "pray
rise at that hour to breakfast; Mr. Sandford would not invite you, if he
thought it would displease Lord Elmwood."

"Not I," replied Sandford, churlishly.

"Then desire her maid to call her:" said Mrs. Horton to Miss Woodley.

"Nay, she will be awake, I have no doubt;" returned her niece.

"No;" replied Miss Milner, "since Lord Elmwood has thought proper to
take his leave of me, without even speaking a word; by my own design,
never will I see him again." And her tears burst forth, as if her heart
burst at the same time.

"Why did not _you_ speak to _him?_" cried Sandford--"Pray did _you_ bid
_him_ farewell? and I