“But may he not still claim me?” she wildly exclaimed.  “Will he not hold me up to the world as a faithless, capricious girl?  I shall be the laughing-stock of all with whom we associate.  Annie is not likely to keep my secret.  Oh, why did I ever confide in her?  Mother, I shall be despised, derided.  I know I have brought it on myself, but oh, how can I bear it?”

“We leave London so very shortly, that I trust you will not be exposed to the derision you so much dread,” replied Mrs. Hamilton, soothingly, “and by next season I hope all floating rumours that your conduct must occasion may have entirely passed away.  You need not fear the scorn of the circle in which we principally mingle; and that of Annie’s companions, if the dread of their laughter keep you from seeking, as you have done, their society, forgive me, my love, if I say I shall rejoice; for you will then no longer be exposed to example and precept contrary to those I have endeavoured to instil.”

“But, Lord Alphingham, what will he say or do?” murmured Caroline, almost inaudibly.

“You must write to him, Caroline, dissolving your engagement; there is no other way.”

“Write to him, mother, I—­oh, no, no, I cannot.”

“If you do not, you will still be exposed to constant annoyance; he may choose to believe that you were forced by compulsion to return to us.  The circumstance of the Duchess herself accompanying you to town, he will consider as sufficient evidence.  Acting on your promise, on your avowed preference, unless you write yourself, he will leave no means untried to succeed in his sinful schemes.  Painful as is the task, or rather more disagreeable than painful if you do not love him, no one but yourself must write, and the sooner you do so the better.”

“But if he really loves me?  How can I—­how dare I inflict more pain, more disappointment, than I have done already?”

“Loves you!” repeated Mrs. Hamilton, and displeasure mingled in her saddened tone; “Caroline, do not permit yourself to be thus egregiously deceived.  He may fancy that he does, but it is no true honourable love; if it were, would he thus bear you by stealth from the friend to whom you were intrusted?  If his conscience were indeed free from all stain, would he have refused your entreaties that you might confess your love to us, and beseech our blessing on your union?  Would he have shrunk from defending his conduct according to your advice?  Nay, more; if this accusation, which he has traced by some means to Percy, were indeed unfounded and unjust, do you think he would have refrained one moment from coming forward and asserting, not only by word but by proof, his unblemished innocence?  His silence is to me the clearest proof of conduct that will not bear investigation; and I tremble to think what miseries, what wretchedness might have been your portion, had you indeed consented to his unworthy proposal.”  Her voice faltered, and she drew the still weeping girl closer to her, as if her maternal love should protect her from every evil.  Caroline answered not, and after a few minutes Mrs. Hamilton said, with tenderness—­