when they gazed on your bleeding corse, and remembered you had sought death in defiance of every principle they had so carefully instilled?  Think of my mother’s silent agony; has not Caroline’s conduct occasioned sufficient pain, and would you increase it? you, whose most trifling action is dictated by love for her; you, in whom she has every reason to look for so much virtue, honour, and self-control; whom she so dearly, so devotedly loves?  Remember what she would feel; and, if no other consideration have effect, surely that will bid you pause.”

Percy still paced the room, but his head was averted from his brother as he spoke, and his step bespoke contending and painful emotions.  He did not answer when Herbert ceased to speak, but his brother knew him well, and remained silent.

“You have conquered, Herbert,” he exclaimed at length, firmly clasping his brother’s hand in his and raising his head; anger still lingered on his cheek, but his eye was softer.  “I could not bear my mother’s wretchedness; I could not thus repay her love, her cherished care.  I will not seek this base and heartless man.  I tremble for my present resolution, if he chance to cross my path; but, for her sake, I will avoid him; for her sake, his villainy shall be still concealed.”

“Endeavour to think of him more charitably, my dear Percy, or forget him entirely, which you will.”

“Think of him charitably; him—­a fashionable, fawning, seducing hypocrite!” burst from Percy, in a tone of renewed passion.  “No! the gall he has created within me cannot yet be turned to sweetness; forget him—­that at least is impossible, when Caroline’s coldness and reserve remind me disagreeably of him every day.  It is plain she looks on me as the destroyer of her happiness; thinks, perhaps, had it not been for my letter my father would have given his consent, and she might have peacefully become the wife of Alphingham.  It is hard to bear unkindness from one whom I have endeavoured to preserve from ruin.”

“Nay, do not be unjust, Percy; are you not cool and reserved yourself?  How do we know why Caroline is somewhat more so than usual?  Poor girl, we may find excuses for her, but I know no reason why you should treat her as you do.”

“Her whole conduct demands it.  How did she use that noble fellow St. Eval; encourage him, so that their union was confidently asserted, and then reject him for no cause whatever; or, if she had a cause, for love of a villain, who, it appears, in secret, possessed all the favour she pretended to lavish on St. Eval,—­both false and deceiving.”

“Percy, you are determined to be angry with everybody to-day.  I flattered myself my influence had allayed your passion, and behold, it is only withdrawn from one object to be hurled upon another.  Can you not find some good cause now to turn it from Caroline on me?  Is it nothing that I should dare face the tempest of your wrath, and tell my impetuous and headstrong brother exactly what I thought—­nothing, that I should have ventured to say there was a thing on earth you dared not do?”