"Then," said Mrs. Horton, "I"ll not be instrumental in detering her--if she does it may be for the best; it may give Mr. Dorriforth a clearer knowledge what means are proper to convert her from evil."
"But, my dear Madam, she must be preserved from the evil of disobedience; and as you tempted, you will be the most likely to dissuade her. But if you will not, I must endeavour."
Miss Woodley was leaving the room to perform this good work, when Mrs.
Horton, in imitation of the example given her by Dorriforth, cried,
"Niece, I command you not to stir out of this room this evening."
Miss Woodley obediently sat down--and though her thoughts and heart were in the chamber of her friend, she never marked by one impertinent word, or by one line of her face, the restraint she suffered.
At the usual hour, Mr. Dorriforth and his ward were summoned to tea:--he entered with a countenance which evinced the remains of anger; his eye gave testimony of his absent thoughts; and though he took up a pamphlet affecting to read, it was plain to discern that he scarcely knew he held it in his hand.
Mrs. Horton began to make tea with a mind as intent upon something else as Dorriforth"s--she longed for the event of this misunderstanding; and though she wished no ill to Miss Milner, yet with an inclination bent upon seeing something new--without the fatigue of going out of her own house--she was not over scrupulous what that novelty might be. But for fear she should have the imprudence to speak a word upon the subject which employed her thoughts, or even to look as if she thought of it at all; she pinched her lips close together, and cast her eyes on vacancy, lest their significant regards might expose her to detection. And for fear any noise should intercept even the sound of what might happen, she walked across the room more softly than usual, and more softly touched every thing she was obliged to lay her hand on.
Miss Woodley thought it her duty to be mute; and now the gingle of a tea spoon was like a deep-toned bell, all was so quiet.
Mrs. Horton, too, in the self-approving reflection that she was not in a quarrel or altercation of any kind, felt herself at this moment remarkably peaceful and charitable. Miss Woodley did not recollect _herself_ so, but was so in reality--in her, peace and charity were instinctive virtues, accident could not increase them.
The tea had scarce been made, when a servant came with Miss Milner"s compliments, and she "did not mean to have any tea." The pamphlet shook in Dorriforth"s hand while this message was delivered--he believed her to be dressing for her evening"s entertainment, and now studied in what manner he should prevent, or resent her disobedience to his commands. He coughed--drank his tea--endeavoured to talk, but found it difficult--sometimes read--and in this manner near two hours were pa.s.sed away, when Miss Milner came into the room.--Not dressed for a ball, but as she had risen from dinner. Dorriforth read on, and seemed afraid of looking up, lest he should see what he could not have pardoned. She drew a chair and sat at the table by the side of her delighted friend.
After a few minutes" pause, and some little embarra.s.sment on the part of Mrs. Horton, at the disappointment she had to encounter from this unexpected dutiful conduct, she asked Miss Milner, "if she would now have any tea?" She replied, "No, I thank you, Ma"am," in a voice so languid, compared with her usual one, that Dorriforth lifted up his eyes from the book; and seeing her in the same dress that she had worn all the day, turned them hastily away from her again--not with a look of triumph, but of confusion.
Whatever he might have suffered if he had seen her decorated, and prepared to bid defiance to his commands, yet even upon that trial, he would not have endured half the painful sensations he now for a moment felt--he felt himself to blame.
He feared that he had treated her with too much severity--he admired her condescension, accused himself for having exacted it--he longed to ask her pardon--he did not know how.
A cheerful reply from her, to a question of Miss Woodley"s, embarra.s.sed him still more--he wished that she had been sullen, he then would have had a temptation, or pretence, to have been sullen too.
With all these sentiments crowding fast upon his heart, he still read, or seemed to read, as if he took no notice of what was pa.s.sing; till a servant came into the room and asked Miss Milner at what time she should want the carriage? to which she replied, "I don"t go out to-night."
Dorriforth then laid the book out of his hand, and by the time the servant had left the room, thus began:
"Miss Milner, I give you, I fear, some unkind proofs of my regard. It is often the ungrateful task of a friend to be troublesome--sometimes unmannerly. Forgive the duties of my office, and believe that no one is half so much concerned if it robs you of any degree of happiness, as I myself am."
What he said, he looked with so much sincerity, that had she been burning with rage at his late behaviour, she must have forgiven him, for the regret which he so forcibly exprest. She was going to reply, but found she could not, without accompanying her words with tears, therefore, after the first attempt, she desisted.
On this he rose from his chair, and going to her, said, "Once more shew your submission by obeying me a second time to-day. Keep your appointment, and be a.s.sured that I shall issue my commands with more circ.u.mspection for the future, as I find how strictly they are complied with."
Miss Milner, the gay, the vain, the dissipated, the haughty Miss Milner, sunk underneath this kindness, and wept with a gentleness and patience, which did not give more surprise than it gave joy to Dorriforth. He was charmed to find her disposition so tractable--prophesied to himself the future success of his guardianship, and her eternal as well as temporal happiness from this specimen.
CHAPTER VIII.
Although Dorriforth was the good man that he has been described, there were in his nature shades of evil--there was an obstinacy which he himself, and his friends termed firmness of mind; but had not religion and some opposite virtues weighed heavily in the balance, it would frequently have degenerated into implacable stubbornness.
The child of a sister once beloved, who married a young officer against her brother"s consent, was at the age of three years left an orphan, dest.i.tute of all support but from his uncle"s generosity: but though Dorriforth maintained, he would never see him. Miss Milner, whose heart was a receptacle for the unfortunate, no sooner was told the melancholy history of Mr. and Mrs. Rushbrook, the parents of the child, than she longed to behold the innocent inheritor of her guardian"s resentment, and took Miss Woodley with her to see the boy. He was at a farm house a few miles from town; and his extreme beauty and engaging manners, wanted not the sorrows to which he had been born, to give him farther recommendation to the kindness of her, who had come to visit him. She looked at him with admiration and pity, and having endeared herself to him by the most affectionate words and caresses, on her bidding him farewell, he cried most pitiously to go along with her. Unused at any time to resist temptations, whether to reprehensible, or to laudable actions, she yielded to his supplications, and having overcome a few scruples of Miss Woodley"s, determined to take young Rushbrook to town, and present him to his uncle. This idea was no sooner formed than executed. By making a present to the nurse, she readily gained her consent to part with him for a day or two, and the signs of joy denoted by the child on being put into the carriage, repaid her beforehand for every reproof she might receive from her guardian, for the liberty she had taken.
"Besides," said she to Miss Woodley, who had still her fears, "do you not wish his uncle should have a warmer interest in his care than duty?--it is duty alone which induces Mr. Dorriforth to provide for him; but it is proper that affection should have some share in his benevolence--and how, hereafter, will he be so fit an object of the love which compa.s.sion excites, as he is at present?"
Miss Woodley acquiesced. But before they arrived at their own door it came into Miss Milner"s remembrance, that there was a grave sternness in the manners of her guardian when provoked, the recollection of which made her a little apprehensive for what she had done--her friend, who knew him better than she did, was more so. They both became silent as they approached the street where they lived--for Miss Woodley having once represented her fears, and having suppressed them in resignation to Miss Milner"s better judgment, would not repeat them--and Miss Milner would not confess they were now troubling her.
Just, however, as the coach stopped at the door, she had the forecast and the humility to say, "We will not tell Mr. Dorriforth the child is his nephew, unless he should appear fond, and pleased with him, and then I think we may venture without any danger."
This was agreed; and when Dorriforth entered the room just before dinner, poor Harry Rushbrook was introduced as the son of a lady who frequently visited there. The deception pa.s.sed--his uncle shook hands with him, and at length highly pleased with his engaging manner, and applicable replies, took him on his knee, and kissed him with affection.
Miss Milner could scarce restrain the joy it gave her; but unluckily, Dorriforth said soon after to the child, "And now tell me your name."
"Harry Rushbrook," replied he, with force and clearness of voice.
Dorriforth was holding him fondly round the waist as he stood with his feet upon his knees; and at this reply he did not _throw_ him from him--but he removed his hands, which had supported him, so suddenly, that the child, to prevent falling on the floor, threw himself about his uncle"s neck. Miss Milner and Miss Woodley turned aside to conceal their tears. "I had like to have been down," cried Harry, fearing no other danger. But his uncle took hold of each hand which had twined around him, and placed him immediately on the ground. The dinner being that instant served, he gave no greater marks of his resentment than calling for his hat, and walking instantly out of the house.
Miss Milner cried for anger; yet she did not shew less kindness to the object of this vexatious circ.u.mstance: she held him in her arms while she sat at table, and repeatedly said to him, (though he had not the sense to thank her) "That she would always be his friend."
The first emotions of resentment against Dorriforth being pa.s.sed, she returned with her little charge to the farm house, before it was likely his uncle should come back; another instance of obedience, which Miss Woodley was impatient her guardian should know; she therefore enquired where he was, and sent him a note for the sole purpose of acquainting him with it, offering at the same time an apology for what had happened.
He returned in the evening seemingly reconciled, nor was a word mentioned of the incident which had occurred in the former part of the day; yet in his countenance remained a perfect remembrance of it, without one trait of compa.s.sion for his helpless nephew.
CHAPTER IX.
There are few things so mortifying to a proud spirit as to suffer by immediate comparison--men can hardly bear it, but to women the punishment is intolerable; and Miss Milner now laboured under this humiliation to a degree which gave her no small inquietude.
Miss Fenton, young, of exquisite beauty, elegant manners, gentle disposition, and discreet conduct, was introduced to Miss Milner"s acquaintance by her guardian, and frequently, sometimes inadvertently, held up by him as a pattern for her to follow--for when he did not say this in direct terms, it was insinuated by the warmth of his panegyric on those virtues in which Miss Fenton excelled, and in which his ward was obviously deficient. Conscious of her own inferiority in these subjects of her guardian"s praise, Miss Milner, instead of being inspired to emulation, was provoked to envy.
Not to admire Miss Fenton was impossible--to find one fault with her person or sentiments was equally impossible--and yet to love her was unlikely.
That serenity of mind which kept her features in a continual placid form, though enchanting at the first glance, upon a second or third, fatigued the sight for want of variety; and to have seen her distorted with rage, convulsed with mirth, or in deep dejection, had been to her advantage. But her superior soul appeared above those emotions, and there was more inducement to worship her as a saint than to love her as a woman. Yet Dorriforth, whose heart was not formed (at least not educated) for love, regarding her in the light of friendship only, beheld her as the most perfect model for her s.e.x. Lord Frederick on first seeing her was struck with her beauty, and Miss Milner apprehended she had introduced a rival; but he had not seen her three times, before he called her "The most insufferable of Heaven"s creatures," and vowed there was more charming variation in the plain features of Miss Woodley.
Miss Milner had a heart affectionate to her own s.e.x, even where she saw them in possession of superior charms; but whether from the spirit of contradiction, from feeling herself more than ordinarily offended by her guardian"s praise of this lady, or that there was a reserve in Miss Fenton that did not accord with her own frank and ingenuous disposition, so as to engage her esteem, certain it is that she took infinite satisfaction in hearing her beauty and virtues depreciated or turned into ridicule, particularly if Mr. Dorriforth was present. This was painful to him upon many accounts; perhaps an anxiety for his ward"s conduct was not among the least; and whenever the circ.u.mstance occurred, he could with difficulty restrain his anger. Miss Fenton was not only a person whose amiable qualities he admired, but she was soon to be allied to him by her marriage with his nearest relation, Lord Elmwood, a young n.o.bleman whom he sincerely loved.
Lord Elmwood had discovered all that beauty in Miss Fenton which every common observer could not but see. The charms of her mind and of her fortune had been pointed out by his tutor; and the utility of the marriage, in perfect submission to his precepts, he never permitted himself to question.
This preceptor held with a magisterial power the government of his pupil"s pa.s.sions; nay, governed them so entirely, that no one could perceive (nor did the young Lord himself know) that he had any.
This rigid monitor and friend was a Mr. Sandford, bred a Jesuit in the same college at which Dorriforth had since been educated, but before his time the order was compelled to take another name. Sandford had been the tutor of Dorriforth as well as of his cousin, Lord Elmwood, and by this double tie seemed now entailed upon the family. As a Jesuit, he was consequently a man of learning; possessed of steadiness to accomplish the end of any design once meditated, and of sagacity to direct the conduct of men more powerful, but less ingenious, than himself. The young Earl, accustomed in his infancy to fear him as his master, in his youthful manhood received every new indulgence with grat.i.tude, and at length loved him as a father--nor had Dorriforth as yet shaken off similar sensations.
Mr. Sandford perfectly knew how to influence the sentiments and sensations of all human kind, but yet he had the forbearance not to "draw all hearts towards him." There were some whose hatred he thought not unworthy of his pious labours; and in that pursuit he was more rapid in his success than even in procuring esteem. It was an enterprise in which he succeeded with Miss Milner even beyond his most sanguine wish.
She had been educated at an English boarding school, and had no idea of the superior and subordinate state of characters in a foreign seminary--besides, as a woman, she was privileged to say any thing she pleased; and as a beautiful woman, she had a right to expect that whatever she pleased to say, should be admired.
Sandford knew the hearts of women, as well as those of men, though he had pa.s.sed little of his time in their society--he saw Miss Milner"s heart at the first view of her person; and beholding in that little circ.u.mference a weight of folly that he wished to eradicate, he began to toil in the vineyard, eagerly courting her detestation of him, in the hope he could also make her abominate herself. In the mortifications of slight he was expert; and being a man of talents, whom all companies, especially her friends, respected, he did not begin by wasting that reverence so highly valued upon ineffectual remonstrances, of which he could foresee the reception, but wakened her attention by his neglect of her. He spoke of her in her presence as of an indifferent person, sometimes forgetting even to name her when the subject required it; then would ask her pardon, and say that he "Really did not recollect her,"
with such seeming sorrow for his fault, that she could not think the offence intended, and of course felt the affront more acutely.
While, with every other person she was the principle, the cause upon whom a whole party depended for conversation, cards, musick, or dancing, with Mr. Sandford she found that she was of no importance. Sometimes she tried to consider this disregard of her as merely the effect of ill-breeding; but he was not an ill-bred man: he was a gentleman by birth, and one who had kept the best company--a man of sense and learning. "And such a man slights me without knowing it," she said--for she had not dived so deeply into the powers of simulation, as to suspect that such careless manners were the result of art.