ime of life, in the zenith of my hopes! Suppose that
I could bear this for myself, could I bear it for you? _You_, born to be
the ornament of courts! And you could you see me thus--life embittered,
career lost--and feel, generous as you are, that your love had entailed
on me, on us both, on our children, this miserable lot! Impossible,
Caroline! we are too wise for such romance. It is not because we love
too little, but because our love is worthy of each other, that we
disdain to make love a curse! We cannot wrestle against the world, but
we may shake hands with it, and worm the miser out of its treasures. My
heart must be ever yours; my hand must be Miss Cameron's. Money I
must have,--my whole career depends on it. It is literally with me
the highwayman's choice,--money or life." Vargrave paused, and took
Caroline's hand.

"I cannot reason with you," said she; "you know the strange empire you
have obtained over me, and, certainly, in spite of all that has passed
(and Caroline turned pale) I could bear anything rather than that
you should hereafter reproach me for selfish disregard of your
interests,--your just ambition."

"My noble friend! I do not say that I shall not feel a deep and sharp
pang at seeing you wed another; but I shall be consoled by the thought
that I have assisted to procure for you a station worthier of your
merits than that which I can offer. Lord Doltimore is rich,--you will
teach him to employ his riches well; he is weak,--your intellect will
govern him; he is in love,--your beauty will suffice to preserve his
regard. Ah, we shall be dear friends to the last!"

More--but to the same effect--did this able and crafty villain continue
to address to Caroline, whom he alternately soothed, irritated,
flattered, and revolted. Love him she certainly did, as far as love in
her could extend; but perhaps his rank, his reputation, had served
to win her affection; and; not knowing his embarrassments, she had
encouraged a worldly hope that if Evelyn should reject his hand it
might be offered to her. Under this impression she had trifled, she had
coquetted, she had played with the serpent till it had coiled around
her; and she could not escape its fascination and its folds. She was
sincere,--she could have resigned much for Lord Vargrave; but his
picture startled and appalled her. For difficulties in a palace she
might be prepared; perhaps even for some privations in a _cottage
ornee_,--but certainly not for p