overcharged heart found blessed relief in pouring forth to Heaven its fervent thanksgiving for that great mercy vouchsafed her in the restoration of her child.  The anguish of the past, the suffering of the present were alike forgotten, in the thought that Caroline’s affection and confidence were again restored to her.  The veil had at length been removed from her eyes.  Annie’s character was revealed before her and the sorrowful and repentant girl had once more sought for sympathy in the bosom of her mother.  She now felt that mother was her truest friend, and a glow of sweet and soothing pleasure stole over Mrs. Hamilton’s mind at this conviction.  Caroline had said it was the recollection of her mother’s care, devotion, and love that had stayed her, ere it was too late.  She could not banish from her heart the duty therein so long and carefully implanted; the principles of religion, of virtue, shaken as they had been in that painful moment of indecision, had preserved her from misery.  Often, very often, Mrs. Hamilton had felt disheartened, almost despairing in her task, during both the childhood and youth of Caroline, but now her recompense was apparent.  Had she not persevered, had she been indolent or careless in the discharge of her duty, had she left the care of that child to strangers, who would never have thus studied or guided so difficult a disposition, there would have been naught to bid her pause.  She would have done as others too often do, and fearful indeed would have been her chastisement.  Now, what were all Mrs. Hamilton’s self-conquering struggles, all the pain she had suffered, compared with the exquisite happiness of feeling that her care had preserved her child, and she knew not as yet from what depth of wretchedness?  Fervent was the gratitude for that grace which had permitted her to guide her child aright; and as she recalled the heartfelt approbation of her conduct, which her beloved husband had gratefully expressed, happiness filled her heart, and many, very many might have envied that noble woman her feelings, as she laid her head on her pillow that night, when sleep only hushed the still lingering thanksgiving on her lips.

It may be well here briefly to relate all that had passed at Airslie, from the moment we left Caroline imploring pardon and guidance from Him, to whom she had never appealed in vain, to that when she so suddenly appeared in company with the Duchess in Berkeley Square.  To accede to Lord Alphingham’s wishes, she felt was no longer possible, but how to avoid him was a matter of still greater difficulty.  To accompany the Duchess and thus elude him, she could not, for she felt neither her strength nor spirits could sustain her through the whole of that festive night.  Each minute as it passed increased the fever of her brain, at length in despair she determined on the conduct with which we are already acquainted.  As soon as the last carriage had rolled from the door she summoned Allison, the Duchess’s own maid,