“He is very good,” she answered, and the tear started in her eyes.
“Would you please to see his Lordship?” asked her maid.
“Not yet, not yet,” she replied; “let me recollect myself first.” And she looked with a timid doubt upon her friend, to ask if it was proper.
Miss Woodley could hardly support this humble reference to her judgment, from the wan face of the poor invalid, and taking her by the hand, whispered, “You shall do what you please.” In a few minutes Lord Elmwood was introduced.
To those who sincerely love, every change of situation or circumstances in the object beloved, appears an advantage. So, the acquisition of a title and estate was, in Miss Milner’s eye, an inestimable advantage to her guardian; not on account of their real value; but that any change, instead of diminishing her passion, would have served only to increase it—even a change to the utmost poverty.
When he entered—the sight of him seemed to be too much for her, and after the first glance she turned her head away. The sound of his voice encouraged her to look once more—and then she riveted her eyes upon him.
“It is impossible, my dear Miss Milner,” he gently whispered, “to say, what joy I feel that your disorder has subsided.”
But though it was impossible to say, it was possible to look what he felt, and his looks expressed his feelings. In the zeal of those sensations, he laid hold of her hand, and held it between his—this he did not himself know—but she did.
“You have prayed for me, my Lord, I make no doubt?” said she, and smiled, as if thanking him for those prayers.
“Fervently, ardently!” returned he; and the fervency with which he had prayed spoke in every feature.