We were not aware that you were here,--indeed we were not." "That is a cruel excuse," said Maltravers, smiling at her eagerness: and the smile and the look reminded her yet more forcibly of the time when he had carried her in his arms and soothed her suffering and praised her courage and pressed the kiss almost of a lover on her hand.

At that thought she blushed yet more deeply, and yet more eagerly turned to escape.
Maltravers did not seek to detain her, but silently followed her steps.
She had scarcely gained the window, before little Cecilia scampered in, crying,-- "Only think! Mr.Maltravers has come back, and brought such beautiful horses!" Cecilia stopped abruptly, as she caught sight of the stranger; and the next moment Caroline herself appeared.

Her worldly experience and quick sense saw immediately what had chanced; and she hastened to apologize to Maltravers, and congratulate him on his return, with an ease that astonished poor Evelyn, and by no means seemed appreciated by Maltravers himself.

He replied with brief and haughty courtesy.
"My father," continued Caroline, "will be so glad to hear you are come back.

He will hasten to pay you his respects, and apologize for his truants.