“You had better dress at the house of the ladies with whom you go,” said Miss Woodley; and this was agreed upon.
At dinner they learnt that Lord Elmwood was to go that evening to Windsor, in order to be in readiness for the king’s hunt early in the morning. This intelligence having dispersed Miss Milner’s fears, she concluded upon dressing at home.
Lord Elmwood appeared at dinner, in an even, but not in a good temper; the subject of the masquerade was never brought up, nor indeed was it once in his thoughts; for though he was offended at his ward’s behaviour on the occasion, and considered that she committed a fault in telling him, “She would go,” yet he never suspected she meant to do so, not even at the time she said it, much less that she would persist, coolly and deliberately, in so direct a contradiction to his will. She, for her part, flattered herself, that his going to Windsor, was intended in order to give her an opportunity of passing the evening as she pleased, without his being obliged to know of it, and consequently to complain. Miss Woodley, who was willing to hope as she wished, began to be of the same opinion; and, without reluctance, dressed herself as a wood-nymph to accompany her friend.
CHAPTER IX.
At half after eleven, Miss Milner’s chair, and another with Miss Woodley, took them from Lord Elmwood’s, to call upon the party (wood-nymphs and huntresses) who were to accompany them, and make up the suit of Diana.
They had not left the house two minutes, when a thundering rap came at the door—it was Lord Elmwood in a post chaise. Upon some occasion the next day’s hunt was deferred: he had been made acquainted with it, and came from Windsor at that late hour. After he had informed Mrs. Horton and Mr. Sandford, who were sitting together, of the cause of his sudden return, and had supper ordered for him, he enquired, “What company had just left the house?”
“We have been alone the whole evening, my Lord,” replied Mrs. Horton.
“Nay,” returned he, “I saw two chairs, with several servants, come out of the door as I drove up, but what livery I could not discern.”
“We have had no creature here,” repeated Mrs. Horton.