It was a task, a painful task, to write home, but she forced herself to speak of the scenes around, and sketch, with a masterly hand, some of the characters with whom she mingled; and her parents strove to be satisfied, though there was somewhat wanting in those letters which, when Caroline had been from home, they had never missed before.
"So that man of learning, that marvellous prodigy, that walking cyclopaedia, Lord St.Eval, has absolutely deserted us, to bury himself in Italy or Switzerland.

Miss Hamilton, can you explain so wonderful and puzzling an enigma ?" mischievously demanded Lord Henry D'Este, one day, as he found himself alone near Caroline.

His friend's departure had indeed been to him a riddle, and believing at length that it must have originated in her caprice, he determined, whenever he had an opportunity, to revenge St.Eval by doing all in his power to torment her.

A deep blush overspread Caroline's cheeks as he spoke, for except that Mary Greville's letters had mentioned him, he was never spoken of at home.
"It ought not to appear a very puzzling riddle to you," she answered quickly.

"He has gone, I should imagine, to collect fresh matters for reflection, that he may better deserve the title you have bestowed upon him." "Nay, nay, surely he has enough of such matters to form four and twenty good folio volumes," answered Lord Henry, laughing.