Lord Alphingham looked after him, and then turned his glance on Caroline, and an acute physiognomist might easily have read his inward thoughts--"My vengeance is complete." Alphingham had more than once mentioned the name of the Duchess of Rothbury; but in such a manner, that though it sounded well enough in his tale, yet when afterwards recalled by the young Earl, he could not understand in what position she stood towards them.

Lord Alphingham knew well her Grace's character; he wished St.Eval to seek her, for he felt assured what she would say would confirm his tale, and render the barrier between him and Caroline more impassable.

His plan succeeded admirably: St.Eval gallopped off to Airslie early the next morning.

The Duchess welcomed him with the greatest cordiality, for he was a favourite; but the moment he spoke of Caroline her manner changed.

She became as reserved as she had previously been warm; and when the young Earl frankly asked her if the refusal of her parents had been the only bar to her union with the Viscount, she referred him to Mr.and Mrs.
Hamilton.