," he pleaded, "if we love each other, for you love me yet?"

"Yes, I love you!"

Hilton threw his arms around her, and kissed her cold face in a
transport of thankfulness.

"Then, why not? We were betrothed in Italy, when I believed you Mr.
Brown's daughter, as I do now."

"But I did not know that you were an English nobleman, and heir to a
large estate."

"Is that a crime, Caroline? Besides, you need not trouble yourself about
the estate. When I ask you in marriage, that is given up."

She turned to him suddenly, and held out her hands.

"Are you, indeed, ready to give up so much for me?"

"I am ready to give up everything but my honor," was his reply.

"I am only a poor girl, with no honor to hold but my own; but you shall
not find me less generous than you are."

He kissed her hands in passionate gratitude.

"Ah, darling, I knew--I knew that it must end so."

She forced her hands from his clasp.

"You misunderstand me. I love you better than myself! better than my
life! Do believe it! And for that reason we part, now and forever! I
could not live through another hour like this!"

"Caroline!"

"I know it is hard; my own heart is pleading against it. But there is
something which forbids me to listen."

"Caroline, I will not permit this! It is unnatural, cruel!"

"I know it! I know it! Still it is our destiny. Nothing that has been
said, or can be said, will change the fact of your birth and mine. Do
not, I implore you, press this matter farther. It is hard to fight
against my own heart and you. Spare me and let me go!"

Caroline arose and absolutely fled from the man she loved. He did not
attempt to detain her, but walked away slowly, half offended--but more
resolved on making her his wife than ever.

CHAPTER XXXII.

OUT AMONG THE TREES.

Not far from the glen, loitering up and down a secluded forest-path,
Caroline met Lady Clara, and, by her side, the young man whom she had
met that night at Olympia's supper party. This took her by surprise, and
she turned into another path, where a sheltered garden seat invited her
to rest.

Lady Clara had not seen her companion, and was too much occupied for any
thought regarding her. She was talking earnestly to Hepworth Closs, who
had refused Lady Carset's invitation to take up his quarters at the
castle, but was staying at the public house down in the village, until
after the festival, at which Clara still refused to be introduced as
sole hei