ABSTRACT
On the following day Miss Woodford seemed to be less agitated, and conversed with me in a tone of voice more determined than I had ever before witnessed; she appeared to be perfectly mistress of herself, and to have resolved on some event which had rendered her mind entirely decided. I was little pleased with her evident placidity: the dawning ray of consolation which beamed through her eyes, when suffused with tears of sensibility, seemed wholly to vanish when they encountered mine with the sober dignity of returning reason. I wondered at the change; I was piqued at it, because I fancied that I was again the dupe of my own self-love, and the make-game of a capricious girl. The day passed in sullen chagrin on my part, and distant politeness on hers. Mrs. Woodford regretted our approaching separation, and Amelia smiled whenever it was mentioned. I was at a loss to interpret the meaning of such extraordinary conduct, and waited impatiently for the hour of elucidation.
