residing, since their marriage, to see Mrs. Lyndsay and Caroline at
Paris, and implore their influence to obtain a reconciliation with her
father. Matilda soon learned from Mrs. Lyndsay, who affected the most
enchanting candour, the nature of the engagement between Caroline and
Darrell. She communicated the information to Jasper, who viewed it with
very natural alarm. By reconciliation with Guy Darrell, Jasper
understood something solid and practical--not a mere sentimental pardon,
added to that paltry stipend of L700 a-year which he had just obtained--
but the restoration to all her rights and expectancies of the heiress he
had supposed himself to marry. He had by no means relinquished the
belief that sooner or later Darrell would listen to the Voice of Nature,
and settle all his fortune on his only child. But then for the Voice of
Nature to have fair play, it was clear that there should be no other
child to plead for. And if Darrell were to marry again and to have sons,
what a dreadful dilemma it would be for the Voice of Nature! Jasper was
not long in discovering that Caroline's engagement was not less unwelcome
to Mrs. Lyndsay than to himself, and that she was disposed to connive at
any means by which it might be annulled. Matilda was first employed to
weaken the bond it was so desirable to sever. Matilda did not reproach,
but she wept. She was sure now that she should he an outcast--her
children beggars. Mrs. Lyndsay worked up this complaint with adroitest
skill. Was Caroline sure that it was not most dishonourable--most
treacherous--to rob her own earliest friend of the patrimony that would
otherwise return to Matilda with Darrell's pardon? This idea became
exquisitely painful to the high-spirited Caroline, but it could not
counterpoise the conviction of the greater pain she should occasion to
the breast that so confided in her faith, if that faith were broken.
Step by step the intrigue against the absent one proceeded. Mrs. Lyndsay
thoroughly understood the art of insinuating doubts. Guy Darrell, a man
of the world, a cold-blooded lawyer, a busy politician, he break his