Sandford was not going abroad with Lord Elmwood, but was to go with him as far as Dover.
These words of his—“Not see Lord Elmwood in the morning”—[never again to see him after this evening,] were like the knell of death to Miss Milner. She felt the symptoms of fainting, and eagerly snatched a glass of water, which the servant was holding to Sandford, who had called for it, and drank it off;—as she returned the glass to the servant, she began to apologize to Mr. Sandford for her seeming rudeness, but before she could utter what she intended, he said, good-naturedly, “Never mind—you are very welcome—I am glad you took it.” She looked at him to observe, whether he had really spoken kindly, or ironically; but before his countenance could satisfy her, her thoughts were called away from that trivial matter, and again fixed upon Lord Elmwood.
The moments seemed tedious till he came home to supper, and yet, when she reflected how short the remainder of the evening would be after that time, she wished to defer the hour of his return for months. At ten o’clock he arrived; and at half after ten the family, without any visitor, met at supper.
Miss Milner had considered, that the period for her to counterfeit appearances, was diminished now to a most contracted one; and she rigorously enjoined herself not to shrink from the little which remained. The certain end, that would be so soon put to this painful deception, encouraged her to struggle through it with redoubled zeal; and this was but necessary, as her weakness increased. She therefore listened, she talked, and even smiled with the rest of the company, nor did their vivacity seem to arise, from a much less compulsive source than her own.
It was past twelve, when Lord Elmwood looked at his watch, and rising from his chair, went up to Mrs. Horton, and taking her hand, said, “Till I see you again, Madam, I sincerely wish you every happiness.”
Miss Milner fixed her eyes upon the table before her.
“My Lord,” replied Mrs. Horton, “I sincerely wish you health and happiness likewise.”
He then went to Miss Woodley, and taking her hand, repeated much the same, as he had said to Mrs. Horton.
Miss Milner now trembled beyond all power of concealment.
“My Lord,” replied Miss Woodley, a good deal affected, “I sincerely hope my prayers for your happiness may be heard.”