“I have seen grave characters there, my Lord,” said Miss Woodley.
“Dear Miss Woodley,” cried Miss Milner, “why persuade Lord Elmwood to put on a mask, just at the time he has laid it aside?”
His patience was now tempted to its height, and he answered, “If you suspect me of inconsistency, Madam, you shall find me changed.”
Pleased that she had been able at last to irritate him, she smiled with a degree of triumph, and in that humour was going to reply; but before she could speak four words, and before she thought of it, he abruptly left the room.
She was highly offended at this insult, and declared, “From that moment she banished him from her heart for ever.” And to prove that she set his love and his anger at equal defiance, she immediately ordered her carriage, and said, she “Was going to some of her acquaintance, whom she knew to have tickets, and with whom she would fix upon the habit she was to appear in at the masquerade; for nothing, unless she was locked up, should alter the resolution she had formed, of being there.” To remonstrate at that moment, Miss Woodley knew would be in vain—her coach came to the door, and she drove away.
She did not return to dinner, nor till it was late in the evening; Lord Elmwood was at home, but he never once mentioned her name.
She came home, after he had retired, in great spirits; and then, for the first time, in her whole life, appeared careless what he might think of her behaviour:—but her whole thoughts were occupied upon the business which had employed the chief of her day; and her dress engrossed all her conversation, as soon as Miss Woodley and she were alone. She told her, she had been shewn the greatest variety of beautiful and becoming dresses she had ever beheld; “and yet,” said she, “I have at last fixed upon a very plain one; but one I look so well in, that you will hardly know me, when I have it on.”
“You are seriously then resolved to go,” said Miss Woodley, “if you hear no more on the subject from your guardian?”
“Whether I do hear or not, Miss Woodley, I am equally resolved to go.”
“But you know, my dear, he has desired you not—and you used always to obey his commands.”