Sir Oswald's visits became more and more
frequent. When the accounts of his _protegee's_ progress were more than
usually enthusiastic, his visits were generally followed very speedily
by the arrival of some costly gift for Miss Beaumont's pupil--a ring--a
bracelet--a locket--always in perfect taste, and such as a young lady
at a boarding-school might wear, but always of the most valuable
description.
Honoria Milford must have possessed a heart of stone, if she had not
been grateful to so noble a benefactor. She was grateful, and her
gratitude was obvious to her generous protector. Her beautiful face was
illuminated with an unwonted radiance when she entered the drawing-room
where he awaited her coming: and the pleasure with which she received
his brief visits was as palpable as if it had been expressed in words.
It was midsummer, and Honoria Milford had been a year and a quarter at
"The Beeches." She had acquired much during that period; new
accomplishments, new graces; and her beauty had developed into fresh
splendour in the calm repose of that comfortable abode. She was liked
by her fellow-pupils; but she had made neither friends nor
_confidantes_. The dark secrets of her past life shut her out from all
intimate companionship with girls of her own age.
She had, in a manner, lived a lonely life amongst all these companions,
and her chief happiness had been derived from her studies.
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