“They are either determined their daughter shall not marry whom she likes, in revenge for her not accepting whom they selected, or they are resolved, by this studied display of coldness, to bring you to a point, so I advise you to speak to this stern capricious father at once.”

“And what good will that do?”

“A great deal, if you manoeuvre properly, on which quality you fortunately require no lessons from me.  You will, at least, discover Mr. Hamilton’s intentions.  If he receive you, well and good, you should be flattered at his condescension; if the contrary, you will, at least, know on what ground you stand, and the situation in which my poor friend must be placed.  She is worried to death with the continual caprices of mamma and papa.  It would be a charity in any one to break the chains in which she is held.  She came to me yesterday in the deepest distress, and all from caprice; for what else can it be that has changed Mr. Hamilton’s manner?”

Lord Alphingham’s fancy became more and more warmed as she spoke; vanity and self-love were alike gratified, and he answered eagerly—­

“I may depend, then, on her affections; she will not, for fear of mamma, play me false.”

“Not she; that is to say, if you do not betray her in your eagerness to ask her of her father.  You have never yet asked the question, though you have discovered she loves you; but if, in demanding her of her father, you say you have gained her affections, the consequence will be, if Mr. Hamilton refuse her, she will be borne instantly to Oakwood, and there imprisoned, till the poor girl pines and droops like a chained bird without hope of freedom.  Whereas, if you will only govern your impetuous temper, and trust to her affections and my friendship, your every wish may be gratified, with or without Mr. Hamilton’s advice.”

“And you will assist us;—­adorable girl! how can we ever repay you?” he exclaimed, raising her hand passionately to his lips.  The cheek of Annie suddenly blanched, but a cold, proud smile curled her lip.  She answered him in his own spirit, and after a prolonged interview, the Viscount departed to act on her advice.

Ere that day closed, Lord Alphingham had sought, Mr. Hamilton, and with every demonstration of respectful yet passionate affection, solicited his consent to address his daughter.  The warning of his son, the strong term he had used, were engraved on Mr. Hamilton’s mind, and scarcely could he answer the Viscount with his accustomed calmness.  Politely but decidedly he refused, adding, that he had hoped the constant reserve of Caroline’s manner would at once have convinced him of her feelings, and spared him the pain of refusing for her the honourable alliance Lord Alphingham proposed.  A haughty and somewhat triumphant smile played for a second on the Viscount’s lips, but Mr. Hamilton understood not its import; and his companion, with many expressions of wounded feeling and injured honour, departed, leaving Mr.