A Simple Story

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dvice, but lamented the difficulty of pleasing his ward as to the quality of her lover; for she had refused, besides Sir Edward Ashton, many others of equal pretensions. "Depend upon it then," cried Sandford, "that her affections are engaged; and it is proper that you should know to whom." Dorriforth thought he did know, and m

s Milner to leave town," replied he,

d not succeed now, at least fix the time you mean to go

in the country; and as his uncle's estate is near our residence, he will no

ness, Miss Milner, to the surprise of all present, immediately consented; and gave her guardian

on-but your commendations are now become infinitely superior in value by their scarcity; for I do not be

umes in her usual strain of raillery. Dorriforth was confused-but the concern which she had so plainly evinced for his good opinion throughout all that she had been saying, silenced any rebuke he might else have given her, for this unwarrantable charge against his friend. Mrs. Horton was shocked at

mfortable thing," continued he, "that in the variety of humours to w

hat am I deceitful? did I ever pre

een deceit, Madam, but

ford, sacrificed t

en proposed, and you thought it

the party-then, every grove was changed into a wilderness, every rivule

ions of my company in the country, for I understand the seat to which your guardian means to go, belongs

, Mr. Sandford, but in which

or the first time he elevated hi

looking at the company, "wil

orton, "in talking so much to a young heedle

g thing he could say,) "since I find my proposal of the cou

sperating, was sure to subdue her. This was the case at present-his words wounded her to the heart, but she had not the asperity to reply to them as she thought they merited, and she burst into tears. Dorriforth, instead of being concerned, as he usually was at seeing her uneasy, appeared on the p

r with indifference

ied Dorriforth; "be prepared to quit London,

the plan of her journey, (like those who behave well, not so much to please themselves as to vex their enemies,)

old, "That her's was a cruel case, and that it was unjust and barbarous to force so much beauty into concealment while London was filled with her admirers; who, like her, would languish in consequ

eans appeared unhappy. Her friend was acquainted with love only by name; yet she was confirmed from these increased symptoms, in what she before only suspected, that love must be the foundation of her care. "Her senses have been captivated by the person and accomplishments

ndford urged more than ever the necessity of leaving town. In a few days they departed; Mrs. Horton, Miss Woodley, Miss Milner, and Mr. Dorriforth, accompanied by Miss Fenton, whom Miss Milner, knowing it to be the wish of her guardian, invited, for t

e of Lord Frederick's, and most of the party suspected they should soon see him on a visit