Be comforted, Mr.
Grahame, indeed, I speak the truth.

Lord Alphingham was free, restrained by no tie, when he was united to your child." Rapidly, hurriedly, she had spoken, for she trembled at the wild gaze Grahame had fixed upon her.

Caroline's voice rung clear and distinct upon his ear, and every word brought comfort, still he spoke not; but when she ceased, when slowly, more impressively her last words were spoken, he uttered a faint cry, and folding her slight form convulsively to his heart, sobbed like an infant on her shoulder.

Thoughts unutterable thronged the minds of Mr.and Mrs.Hamilton as they too listened with fascinated eagerness to Caroline's words; thoughts, not only of the present but the past, rushed quickly to their minds.

A year previous Lord Alphingham's wife still lived; though he, villain as he was, had heeded not the sacred tie.