I do not consider Miss Malison a fit chaperon for my daughter, and therefore I desire you will not again join her in her drives." "Every other girl of my station has the privilege of at least choosing her own companions without animadversion," replied Caroline, indignantly, "and in the simple thing of making appointments without interference it is hard that I alone am to be an exception." "If you look around the circle in which I visit intimately, Caroline, you will find that did you act according to your own wishes, you would stand more alone than were you to regard mine.

I have done wrong in ever allowing you to be as intimate with Miss Grahame as you are.

You looked surprised and angry when I mentioned the change that had taken place in your conduct." "I had sufficient reason for surprise," replied Caroline, impatiently, "I was not aware that my character was so weak, as to turn and change with every new acquaintance." "Are you then the same girl you were at Oakwood ?" demanded Mrs.
Hamilton, gravely yet sadly.
A sudden pang of conscience smote the heart of the mistaken girl at these words, a sob rose choking in her throat, and she longed to have given vent to the tears which pride, anger, and remorse were summoning, but she would not, and answered according to those evil whisperings, which before she had only indulged in secret.
"If I am changed," she answered passionately, "it is because neither you nor papa are the same.

At Oakwood I was free, I had full liberty to act, speak, think as I pleased, while here a chain is thrown around my simplest action; my very words are turned into weapons against me; my friendship disapproved of, and in that at least surely I may have liberty to choose for myself." "You have," replied Mrs.Hamilton mildly.

"I complain not, Caroline, of the pain you have inflicted upon me, in so completely withdrawing your confidence and friendship, to bestow them upon a young girl.