“For Heaven’s sake what has happened?”
“Nothing new—her indiscretions only.”
“I know she is imprudent,” said Miss Woodley—“I can see that her conduct is often exceptionable—but then Lord Elmwood surely loves her, and love will overlook a great deal.”
“He does love her—but he has understanding and resolution. He loved his sister too, tenderly loved her, and yet when he had taken the resolution, and passed his word that he would never see her again—even upon her death-bed he would not retract it—no entreaties could prevail upon him. And now, though he maintains, and I dare say loves, her child, yet you remember, when you brought him home, that he would not suffer him in his sight.”
“Poor Miss Milner!” said Miss Woodley, in the most pitying accents.
“Nay,” said Sandford, “Lord Elmwood has not yet passed his word, that he will never see her more—he has only threatened to do it; but I know enough of him to know, that his threats are generally the same as if they were executed.”
“You are very good,” said Miss Woodley, “to acquaint me of this in time—I may now warn Miss Milner of it, and she may observe more circumspection.”
“By no means,” cried Sandford, hastily—“What would you warn her for? It will do her no good—besides,” added he, “I don’t know whether Lord Elmwood does not expect secrecy on my part; and if he does——”
“But, with all deference to your opinion,” said Miss Woodley, (and with all deference did she speak) “don’t you think, Mr. Sandford, that secrecy upon this occasion would be wicked? For consider the anguish that it may occasion to my friend; and if, by advising her, we can save her from——” She was going on.——
“You may call it wicked, Madam, not to inform her of what I have hinted at,” cried he; “but I call it a breach of confidence—if it was divulged to me in confidence——”