"Why, how on earth could you help that?"
"I could not, and it would be wicked to desire it. But, Eliza, I ought to have had the courage to tell him, and I put it off. Every day I said to myself, the very next time he comes, and at last you know how it was. I had no chance, and now I may never see him again. He will always think me Mr. Brown's daughter, and I shall feel like an impostor. I cannot help this; but to go on the stage, when he has said so much against it, that I will not do, unless forced there by my mother's authority."
"Well, as I said before, I will stand by you, right or wrong; and so will Mr. Brown, I know. I only wish he was your father."
"He could not be kinder if he was," said Caroline.
Just then the door opened, and Olympia's French maid looked through.
"Madame is in the drawing-room, and waits for mademoiselle."
"I will come! I will come!" exclaimed Caroline, breathlessly, and she hurried down stairs.
CHAPTER VI.
SOME OLD ACQUAINTANCES GET INTO A CONJUGAL DIFFICULTY.
Lord Hope had a house in Belgravia, that could always be made ready for the family at a day's notice. So Rachael, who could refuse nothing to her brother, sent up her steward to make preparations one day, and followed him the next with Lady Clara and Hepworth Closs; Margaret Casey and other servants in attendance, of course.