All the father had struggled with Mr.Hamilton, as he stood by her side during the continuance of her swoon; but now sternness again darkened his brow, and he would have given vent to his wounded feelings in severe though just reproaches, but the beseeching glance, the agonized voice of his wife arrested him.
"Arthur, my husband, oh, for my sake, spare her now!" she passionately exclaimed, clasping his hand in hers, and looking up in his face with imploring earnestness.

"Spare her, at least, till from her own lips we have heard all; she is in no state to bear anger now, however deserved.
Arthur, dearest Arthur, oh, do not reproach her till we know what it is that has caused the wretchedness, the suffering we behold! For my sake, spare her now." "Mother," murmured the unhappy girl, with a powerful effort rising from the couch, and flinging herself on Mrs.Hamilton's neck, "do not plead for me; I do not deserve it.

My conduct to you the last few months would alone demand the severest reproaches papa could inflict; and that, oh, that is but little to the crime I should have committed, had not the remembrance of all your devotion rushed to my mind, and arrested me, but a few brief hours ere it would have been too late, and I should have sacrificed myself to a man I discovered I did not love, merely to prove I was not a slave to your dictates, that I had a will of my own, and with or without your consent would abide by it.

I have been infatuated, blind--led on by artful persuasion, false representations, and weakly I have yielded.

Do not weep for me, Emmeline, I am not worthy of your tears.