CHAPTER V.
Mrs.Hamilton sat silently revolving in her mind all Caroline's late conduct, but vainly endeavouring to discover one single good reason to justify her rejection of St.Eval.In vain striving to believe all must have been mistaken, she had not given him encouragement.

That her affections could have become secretly engaged was a thing so unlikely, that even when Mrs.Hamilton suggested it, both she and her husband banished the idea as impossible; for St.Eval alone had she evinced any marked preference.
"You must speak to her, Emmeline, I dare not; for I feel too angry and disappointed to argue calmly.

She has deceived us; all your cares appear to have been of no avail; all the watchful tenderness with which she had been treated thus returned! I could have forgiven it, I would not have said another word, if she had conducted herself towards him with propriety; but to give him encouragement, such as all who have seen them together must have remarked; to attract him by every winning art, to chain him to her side, and then reject him with scorn.

What could have caused her conduct, but the wish to display her power, her triumph over one so superior?
Well might he say she had sunk in his estimation.

Why did we not question her, instead of thus fondly trusting in her integrity?
Emmeline, we have trusted our child too confidently, and thus our reliance is rewarded." Seldom, if ever, had Mrs.Hamilton seen her husband so disturbed; for some little time she remained with him, and succeeded partly in soothing his natural displeasure.