A Simple Story | Page 9

up her abode, with all the retinue of a rich heiress.
Mrs. Horton was delighted with the addition this acquisition to her family was likely to make to her annual income, and style of living. The good-natured Miss Woodley was overjoyed at the expectation of their new guest, yet she herself could not tell why--but the reason was, that her kind heart wanted a more ample field for its benevolence; and now her thoughts were all pleasingly employed how she should render, not only the lady herself, but even all her attendants, happy in their new situation.
The reflections of Dorriforth were less agreeably engaged--Cares, doubts, fears, possessed his mind--and so forcibly possessed it, that upon every occasion which offered, he would inquisitively endeavour to gain intelligence of his ward's disposition before he saw her; for he was, as yet, a stranger not only to the real propensities of her mind, but even to her person; a constant round of visits having prevented his meeting her at her father's, the very few times he had been at his house, since her final return from school. The first person whose opinion he, with all proper reserve, asked concerning Miss Milner, was Lady Evans, the widow of a Baronet, who frequently visited at Mrs. Horton's.
But that the reader may be interested in what Dorriforth says and does, it is necessary to give some description of his person and manners. His figure was tall and elegant, but his face, except a pair of dark bright eyes, a set of white teeth, and a graceful fall in his clerical curls of brown hair, had not one feature to excite admiration--yet such a gleam of sensibility was diffused over each, that many people mistook his face for handsome, and all were more or less attracted by it--in a word, the charm, that is here meant to be described, is a countenance--on his you read the feelings of his heart--saw all its inmost workings--the quick pulses that beat with hope and fear, or the gentle ones that moved in a more equal course of patience and resignation. On this countenance his thoughts were pourtrayed; and as his mind was enriched with every virtue that could make it valuable, so was his face adorned with every expression of those virtues--and they not only gave a lustre to his aspect, but added a harmonious sound to all he uttered; it was persuasive, it was perfect eloquence; whilst in his looks you beheld his thoughts moving with his lips, and ever coinciding with what he said.
With one of those interesting looks which revealed the anxiety of his heart, and yet with that graceful restraint of all gesticulation, for which he was remarkable, even in his most anxious concerns, he addressed Lady Evans, who had called on Mrs. Horton to hear and to request the news of the day: "Your Ladyship was at Bath last spring--you know the young lady to whom I have the honour of being appointed guardian. Pray,"--
He was earnestly intent upon asking a question, but was prevented by the person interrogated.
"Dear Mr. Dorriforth, do not ask me any thing about Miss Milner--when I saw her she was very young: though indeed that is but three months ago, and she can't be much older now."
"She is eighteen," answered Dorriforth, colouring with regret at the doubts which this lady had increased, but not inspired.
"And she is very beautiful, that I can assure you," said Lady Evans.
"Which I call no qualification," said Dorriforth, rising from his chair in evident uneasiness.
"But where there is nothing else, let me tell you, beauty is something."
"Much worse than nothing, in my opinion," returned Dorriforth.
"But now, Mr. Dorriforth, do not from what I have said, frighten yourself, and imagine your ward worse than she really is--all I know of her, is merely, that she's young, idle, indiscreet, and giddy, with half a dozen lovers in her suite; some coxcombs, others men of gallantry, some single, and others married."
Dorriforth started. "For the first time of my life," cried he with a manly sorrow, "I wish I had never known her father."
"Nay," said Mrs. Horton, who expected every thing to happen just as she wished, (for neither an excellent education, the best company, or long experience had been able to cultivate or brighten this good lady's understanding,) "Nay," said she, "I am sure, Mr. Dorriforth, you will soon convert her from all her evil ways."
"Dear me," returned Lady Evans, "I am sure I never meant to hint at any thing evil--and for what I have said, I will give you up my authors if you please; for they were not observations of my own; all I do is to mention them again."
The good-natured Miss Woodley, who sat working at the window, an humble, but an attentive listener to