“So there is to me!” added Sandford, with a sarcastic sneer.
“And so there is to me!” said Miss Woodley, with a serious face and a heartfelt sigh.
Lord Elmwood gazed by turns at each, as each delivered their sentiments—and when they were all silent, he looked bewildered, not knowing what judgment to form from any of these sentences.
Soon after breakfast, Mr. Sandford withdrew to his own apartment: Mrs. Horton, in a little time, went to hers: Lord Elmwood and Miss Woodley were left alone. He immediately rose from his seat, and said,
“I think, Miss Woodley, Miss Milner was extremely to blame, though I did not chuse to tell her so before Mr. Sandford, in giving Lord Frederick an opportunity of speaking to her, unless she means that he shall renew his addresses.”
“That, I am certain,” replied Miss Woodley, “she does not mean—and I assure you, my Lord, seriously, it was by mere accident she saw him yesterday evening, or permitted his attendance upon her to her carriage.”
“I am glad to hear it,” he returned quickly; “for although I am not of a suspicious nature, yet in regard to her affections for him, I cannot but still have my doubts.”
“You need have none, my Lord,” replied Miss Woodley, with a smile of confidence.
“And yet you must own her behaviour has warranted them—has it not been in this particular incoherent and unaccountable?”
“The behaviour of a person in love, no doubt,” answered Miss Woodley.