seeing Mr. Darrell, to make the inquiries which you will see are still
necessary. But then came this terrible affliction! I have been able to
think of nothing else but Jasper;--terrible to quit the house which
contains him for an hour; only, when Dr. F. told me that he was
attending you, that you were ill and suffering, I resolved to add to this
packet Jasper's own confession. Ah, and he gave it so readily, and went
yesterday through the fatigue of writing with such good heart. I tell
you that there is a change within him--there is there is. Well, well--
I resolved to give you the packet to transmit to Mr. Darrell, for somehow
or other I connected your illness with your visit to him at Fawley!"

"My visit to Mr. Darrell!"

"Jasper saw you as your carriage drove from the park gate, not very many
days since. Ah, you change colour! You have wronged that man; repair
the wrong; you have the power!"

"Alas! no," murmured Caroline, "I have not the power."

"Pooh!--he loves you still. You are not one of those whom men forget."

Caroline was silent, but involuntarily she lowered her veil. In an
instant the acute sense of the grim woman detected the truth.

"Ah! Pride--pride in both," she said. "I understand--I dare not blame
him here. But you--you were the injurer; you have no right to pride; you
will see him again."

"No--never--never!" faltered Caroline, with accents scarcely audible
under her veil.