“But I am a protestant, you know, and if I had died such, do you believe I should have gone to Heaven?”
“Most assuredly, that would not have prevented you.”
“But Mr. Sandford does not think so.”
“He must; for he means to go there himself.”
To keep her guardian with her, Miss Milner seemed inclined to converse; but her solicitous friend gave Lord Elmwood a look, which implied that it might be injurious to her, and he retired.
They had only one more interview before he left the place; at which Miss Milner was capable of sitting up—he was with her, however, but a very short time, some necessary concerns relative to his late kinsman’s affairs, calling him in haste to London. Miss Woodley continued with her friend till she saw her entirely reinstated in her health: during which time her guardian was frequently the subject of their private conversation; and upon those occasions Miss Milner has sometimes brought Miss Woodley to acknowledge, “That could Mr. Dorriforth have possibly foreseen the early death of the last Lord Elmwood, it had been more for the honour of his religion (as that ancient title would now after him become extinct), if he had preferred marriage vows to those of celibacy.”
CHAPTER II.
When the time for Miss Woodley’s departure arrived, Miss Milner entreated earnestly to accompany her home, and made the most solemn promises that she would guard not only her behaviour, but her very thoughts, within the limitation her friend should prescribe. Miss Woodley at length yielded thus far, “That as soon as Lord Elmwood was set out on his journey to Italy, where she had heard him say that he should soon be obliged to go, she would no longer deny her the pleasure of returning; and if (after the long absence which must consequently take place between him and her) she could positively affirm the suppression of her passion was the happy result, she would then take her word, and risk the danger of seeing them once more reside together.”
This concession having been obtained, they parted; and as winter was now far advanced, Miss Woodley returned to her aunt’s house in town, from whence Mrs. Horton was, however, preparing to remove, in order to superintend Lord Elmwood’s house, (which had been occupied by the late Earl,) in Grosvenor Square; and her niece was to accompany her.