Mrs.Hamilton could not check that suddenly-excited hope, but she did not share it, for she felt it came but to deceive.

She whispered gentle and consoling words, she spoke of comfort that she could not feel.

But once his energies aroused, they did not fail him.

To go instantly to Paris, to seek Mr.
Greville, and plead his own cause, aided by his father's influence, acknowledge he had been wrong in not asking his consent before, such thoughts now alone occupied his mind, and Mr.Hamilton could not check them, though, even as his wife, he shared not his son's sanguine expectations.

That he had once possessed more influence than any one else over Mr.Greville he well knew; but he thought with Percy, the dislike felt towards him originated from this, and that it was more than probable he would remain firm in his refusal to triumph over both himself and his son; yet he could not hesitate to comply with Herbert's wishes.