"I cannot even promise to be yours; my fate is not in my own hands." "Caroline!" exclaimed the alarmed young man, "what can you mean ?" "Simply, that I have vowed solemnly and sacredly never to many without the consent and blessing of my parents.

I have given you all I can, to them I refer you for the rest." "Then I am satisfied," replied St.Eval, the flush of joyous excitement staining his cheek, and rendering his expressive countenance more than usually handsome, by the animation it produced.
Mrs.Hamilton, with Emmeline and Ellen, had returned from their ride rather later than usual, for they had gone to see a friend some few miles out of town, and finding it near the hour of dinner, they had dispersed to their dressing-rooms instead of entering the drawing-room as usual.

On inquiring for Caroline, if she had been out with Lady Gertrude, or was still at home, she heard, to her extreme astonishment, that Miss Hamilton had not gone out, but that Lord St.Eval had been with her above an hour, nor had she left him to obey the summons of the dressing-bell, as usual.

A throb of pleasure shot through the heart of Mrs.Hamilton, she scarcely knew wherefore, for it was no uncommon thing for Lord St.Eval to spend an hour at her house, but it was that he should thus have sought the society of Caroline alone.
"Had either of her sons been with him ?" she asked, and the answer was in the negative.
Martyn silently concluded her task, for she saw deep thought was on her lady's brow, which she was too respectful to disturb; an earnest thought it was, it might have been that silent prayer had mingled with it.

Still was that wish uppermost in Mrs.Hamilton's mind, that she might one day see her Caroline the happy wife of Lord St.Eval; but when she entered the drawing-room, words were not needed to explain the scene before her.
Mr.Hamilton had drawn his daughter to him, and was pressing the young Earl's hand in his with a grasp that spoke volumes.
"St.Eval, you have been too long the son of my affections, for one instant to doubt my consent," Mrs.Hamilton heard her husband say, as she entered; "it is yours, freely, gladly.