Emmeline knew her sister's opinion of coquetry was very different to hers; but this simple-minded girl could never have conceived that scheme of duplicity, which, by the aid and counsel of Annie, Caroline now practised.

She scarcely ever saw Alphingham, and never hearing her sister name him, and being perfectly unconscious of his attentions when they met, she could not, even in her unusually acute imagination, believe him St.Eval's rival.

More and more enamoured the young Earl became each time he felt himself an especial object of Caroline's notice; his heart throbbed and his hopes grew stronger, still he breathed not one word of love, he dared not.
Diffident of his own attractive qualities, he feared to speak, till he thought he could be assured of her affections.

In the intoxication of love, he felt her refusal would have more effect upon him than he could bear.

He shrunk from the remarks of the world, and waited yet a little longer, ere with a trembling heart he should ask that all-important question.