“No new misfortune has happened, I hope?” cried Rushbrook; for it was plain to see Sandford’s spirits were unusually cast down.
“Nothing new,” returned he, “except the insolence of a young nobleman.”
“What nobleman?” cried Rushbrook.
“A lover of Lady Matilda’s,” replied Sandford.
Rushbrook was petrified. “Who? What lover, Mr. Sandford?—explain?”
They were now arrived at the house; and Sandford, without making any reply to this question, said to the servant who took his horse, “She has come a long way this morning; take care of her.”
This interruption was torture to Rushbrook, who kept close to his side, in order to obtain a further explanation; but Sandford, without attending to him, walked negligently into the hall, and before they advanced many steps, they were met by Lord Elmwood.
All further information was put an end to for the present.
“How do you do, Sandford?” said Lord Elmwood with extreme kindness; as if he thanked him for the journey which, it was likely, he suspected he had been taking.
“I am indifferently well, my Lord:” replied he, with a face of deep concern, and a tear in his eye, partly in gratitude for his patron’s civility, and partly in reproach for his cruelty.