Oh, if you ever loved my mother," she continued, starting up with agony, as the hour of nine chimed on her ear, "send some one with me, and let me go home.

Half an hour more," and her voice grew almost inarticulate with suppressed emotion, "and it may be too late.

Mother, mother, if I could but see you once again!" "Before, as the wife or the victim of the Right Honourable Lord Alphingham, you fly from her for ever, and thus reward her cares, her love, her prayers, wretched and deceiving girl," sternly and slowly the Duchess said, as she rapidly yet with her usual majesty paced the room, and laid her hand heavily on Caroline's shoulder, as she sat bowed down with shame before her.

"Deny it not; it was thus you would bring down shame on my home; thus create agony for your devoted parents; thus prove your gratitude, love, obedience, by wrenching every tie asunder.

Oh, shame, shame! If this be the fruit of such tender cares, such careful training, oh, where shall we seek for honour and integrity--in what heart find virtue?
And why not consummate your sin?
why pause ere your noble and virtuous resolution was put in force?
why hesitate in the accomplishment of your designs?
Why not fly with your honourable lover, and thus wring the fond hearts of your parents at once to the utmost?
Why retract now, when it will be only to delude again?
Miserable and deluded girl, what new whim has caused this sudden change?
Wherefore wait till it be too late to repent--to persuade us that you are an unwilling abettor and assistant in this man's schemes?
Go, fly with him; it were better to reconcile your indulgent mother to an eternal separation, than that she should take you once more to her heart, and be again deceived.