May Heaven in mercy spare you to each other!" Herbert returned to college, and resumed his studies with even greater earnestness than, before.

His unrestrained confidence had been as balm to his mother's heart, and soothed the bitter pain it was to behold, to feel assured, for it was no longer fancy, that the confidence of Caroline was indeed utterly denied her and bestowed upon another.

Yet still Mrs.Hamilton fancied Caroline loved St.Eval; her eyes had not yet been opened to the enormity of her daughter's conduct.

Nor were they till, after a long struggle of fervid love with the tremblings natural to a fond but reserved and lowly heart, St.Eval summoned courage to offer hand, heart, and fortune to the girl he loved (he might well be pardoned for the belief that she loved him), and was rejected, coldly, decidedly.
The young Earl had received the glad sanction of Mr.Hamilton to make his proposals to his daughter.

There had never been, nor was there now, anything to damp his hopes.