Lord Vargrave, with his back to the chimney-piece, was bending down and speaking in a very low voice, while his quick eye glanced, ever and anon, from the lady's countenance to the windows, to the doors, to be prepared against any interruption.
"No, my dear friend," said he, "believe me that I am sincere.

My feelings for you are, indeed, such as no words can paint." "Then why--" "Why wish you wedded to another; why wed another myself?
Caroline, I have often before explained to you that we are in this the victims of an inevitable fate.

It is absolutely necessary that I should wed Miss Cameron.

I never deceived you from the first.

I should have loved her,--my heart would have accompanied my hand, but for your too seductive beauty, your superior mind!--yes, Caroline, your mind attracted me more than your beauty.