“That has been the case some weeks, has it not?” replied Miss Malison.

“Yes; but not so completely as at present.  Caroline has just left me; she was afraid of imparting in writing the important intelligence she had to give me, important indeed, for it saves me a world of trouble:  though did I allow myself to think on her present situation of suffering, I believe that I should repent her perfect and innocent confidence in me.  Her defence of my character, whenever it is attacked, almost touches my heart; but her mother, her intrusive mother, that would-be paragon of her sex, rises before me and continually urges me on; she shall learn, to her cost, that her carefully-trained children are not better than others.”

“She has learned it partly already, by your account,” remarked Miss Malison, concealing under a calm exterior her detestation of Mrs. Hamilton.

“She has.  That rejection of St. Eval assisted me most agreeably; I did not expect that Caroline’s own spirit and self-will would have aided me so effectually.  That disappointment with St. Eval has affected Mrs. Hamilton more deeply than she chooses to make visible.  Her coldness and severity towards her child spring from her own angry and mortified feelings; however, she lays it to the score of Caroline’s faulty conduct, and my friendly letters have happily convinced Caroline such is the case.  In my most sanguine expectations of triumph, I never imagined I should succeed so well in severing the link between Mrs. Hamilton and her daughter.  Confidence is utterly at an end between them, and that would be sufficient to gratify any one but myself; but my vengeance for the prejudice and dislike with which this perfect creature regards me must be more fully satisfied, at present it is only soothed.  Now you know, chere Malison, you are dying with curiosity to hear what new assistance has started up; a little more patience and you shall know all.  You are aware with what bitter and resentful feelings Caroline regards the treatment she receives from her parents, and also from Emmeline, child as she is.”

“Perfectly; nor do I wonder at it.  In this case the immaculate Mrs. Hamilton does not appear to practise what she preaches.  It is rather wonderful, that one who says so much about gentle treatment doing more good than harshness, should now make her own child suffer beneath her severity.’”

“As I said before, Malison, her severity is but a disguise for mortification and annoyance.  Lord St. Eval, the heir of the Malvern peerage, was too good a chance to be thrown away without vexation.  Caroline was a silly fool to act as she did, I must say that for her, grateful as I ought to be for the assistance that foolish act has given me.  As for rejecting him merely for love of Alphingham, it is a complete farce.  She no more loves the Viscount than I do; perhaps not so much.  I make her believe she does, and so I intend to do till my plan is fully accomplished; but love him as she would have done, as in all probability, at the present moment, she loves Lord St. Eval, she does not and never will.  I shall make a fashionable pair, but not a love match, Malison, believe me.”