CHAPTER III.
This gentlewoman's visit inspired Mr. Dorriforth with some confidence inthe principles and character of his ward. The day arrived on which shewas to leave her late father's seat, and fix her abode at Mrs. Horton's;and her guardian, accompanied by Miss Woodley, went in his carriage tomeet her, and waited at an inn on the road for her reception.
After many a sigh paid to the memory of her father, Miss Milner, uponthe tenth of November, arrived at the place, half-way on her journey totown, where Dorriforth and Miss Woodley were expecting her. Besidesattendants, she had with her a gentleman and lady, distant relations ofher mother's, who thought it but a proper testimony of their civility toattend her part of the way, but who so much envied her guardian thetrust Mr. Milner had reposed in him, that as soon as they had deliveredher safe into his care, they returned.
When the carriage, which brought Miss Milner, stopped at the inn gate,and her name was announced to Dorriforth, he turned pale--something likea foreboding of disaster trembled at his heart, and consequently spreada gloom over all his face. Miss Woodley was even obliged to rouse himfrom the dejection into which he was cast, or he would have sunk beneathit: she was obliged also to be the first to welcome his lovelycharge.--Lovely beyond description.
But the natural vivacity, the gaiety which report had given to MissMilner, were softened by her recent sorrow to a meek sadness--and thathaughty display of charms, imputed to her manners, was changed to apensive demeanor. The instant Dorriforth was introduced to her by MissWoodley as her "Guardian, and her deceased father's most belovedfriend," she burst into tears, knelt down to him for a moment, andpromised ever to obey him as her father. He had his handkerchief to hisface at the time, or she would have beheld the agitation--the remotestsensations of his heart.
This affecting introduction being over, after some minutes passed ingeneral conversation, the carriages were again ordered; and, biddingfarewell to the relations who had accompanied her, Miss Milner, herguardian, and Miss Woodley departed for town; the two ladies in MissMilner's carriage, and Dorriforth in that in which he came.
Miss Woodley, as they rode along, made no attempts to ingratiate herselfwith Miss Milner; though, perhaps, such an honour might constitute oneof her first wishes--she behaved to her but as she constantly behaved toevery other human creature--that, was sufficient to gain the esteem of aperson possessed of an understanding equal to Miss Milner's--she hadpenetration to discover Miss Woodley's unaffected worth, and was sooninduced to reward it with the warmest friendship.
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