More than once in those lonely hours did she feel as if her brain reeled, and become confused, for she could not banish thought.

She had that morning received letters from home, and in her present mood each line breathed affection, which her now awakened conscience told her was undeserved.
Nature and reason had resumed their sway, as if to add their tortures to the anguish of those hours.

The misery which had been her portion, since her acceptance of Lord Alphingham, had slowly but surely drawn the blinding film from her eyes.

The light of reason had broke upon them with a lustre that would no more be darkened.

At the same moment that she knew she did not love Lord Alphingham, her conduct to her parents, to St.Eval, appeared in their true colours.