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. “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.