Caroline’s depression had not decreased since her brother’s arrival.  She felt she had been unjust to Percy, and a degree of coldness which had appeared at first in his conduct towards her, occasioned, though she knew it not, by her rejection of his friend St. Eval, which he believed was occasioned by her love of Alphingham, whom he fancied she still continued to regard with an eye of favour; both these causes created reserve and distance between the brother and sister, in lieu of that cordiality which had hitherto subsisted between them.

Percy had not been aware of all that had passed between the Viscount and Caroline till that morning, when Emmeline, hoping to soften his manner towards her sister, related, with all her natural eloquence, the Viscount’s conduct, and the triumph of duty which Caroline had achieved.  That he had even asked her of his father, Percy knew not till then, and it was this intelligence bursting on him at once which called forth such violent anger.  Emmeline had been summoned away before she had time to note the startling effects of her words; but Herbert did, and though he was unacquainted with the secret cause of his brother’s dislike towards Lord Alphingham, he endeavoured by gentle eloquence to pacify and turn him from his purpose, at which he trembled.

“The villain, the cold-blooded, despicable villain!” muttered Percy at intervals, as he continued his hurried pace, without heeding, perhaps not hearing, Herbert’s persuasive accents.  “To act thus foully—­to play thus on the unguarded feelings of a weak, at least, unsophisticated, unsuspecting girl—­to gain her love, to destine her to ruin and shame, the heartless miscreant!  Oh, that my promise prevented not my exposing him to the whole world; but there is another way—­the villain shall find such conduct passes not unheeded!”

“You are right, Percy,” interposed Herbert, gently determining not to understand him.  “If his conduct be indeed such as to call forth, with justice, this irritation on your part, his punishment will come at last.”

“It shall come, ay, and by this baud!” exclaimed Percy, striking his clenched hand violently on the table; “if his conduct be such.  You speak coolly, Herbert, but you know not all, therefore I forgive you:  it is the conduct of a villain, ay, and he shall know it too.  Before three suns have set again, he shall feel my sister has an avenger!”

“His schemes against the peace, the honour of the innocent are registered on high; be calm, be satisfied, Percy.  His last hour will be chastisement enough.”

“By heaven, it shall be!” retorted Percy, passion increasing, it appeared, at every gentle word his brother spoke, and irritating him beyond control.  “Herbert, you will drive me mad with this mistimed calmness; you know not half the injury she has received.”

“Whatever might have been his schemes, they have all failed, Percy, and therefore should we not rather feel thankful for Caroline’s restoration to her home, to herself, than thus encourage fury against him from whose snares she has escaped?”