rice! Just get up, my young lady, and do your crying in less expensive
costume! The proper dress for tragedy is white muslin, but just now a
night-gown will do."

Caroline arose without a word, and began to undress herself. She no
longer shrank or trembled, for the indignant blood rushed to the
surface, and pride gave her strength. Eliza took the robe as she cast it
off, and folded it with an emphatic sweep of her hand.

"A pretty mess you have made of it," said Olympia, tossing the lace
aside with her foot, and tearing it on the buckle of her shoe, "with
your perverse obstinacy--broken up the most splendid debut I ever saw on
any stage, and making yourself and your failure the town's talk! if the
critics had not been my friends, the whole thing would have been utter
ruination; and here you are, with cheeks like flame, looking as haughty
as a duchess."

"I am not haughty or perverse," said Caroline, wiping the hot tears from
her eyes, "but weary and ill."

"Ill! with that color?" sneered Olympia.

"It is fever," Eliza broke in. "Ten minutes ago she was white as the
pillow. You are making her worse and worse, I can tell you that."

"And I can tell you that impudent tongue will lose you a good place
within the next ten minutes, if it is not bridled and well curbed. I
stand no nonsense from servants. Understand that!"

Caroline cast an imploring glance on her maid, who dashed both hands
down upon the dress she was folding, and ground her teeth in silent
rage, as Olympia finished the threat with a little snap of her slender
fingers.

"What was the matter with you? I have had no chance to ask, with your
countesses and duchesses swarming about, as if you had some
acquaintances that your own mother could not reach! What came over you?
I will know!"

"I was faint and frightened," said Caroline, in a low voice. "The whole
thing broke me down."

"But there was something else. I will know it!"

Caroline was silent.

"Will you speak, miss?"

"I have nothing more to say. You could see how ill I was."

"But not the cause; it is that I wish to understand."

Caroline sat down on the side of her bed and remained silent, with her
eyes on the floor. She had no answer to give.

"Will you tell the truth, or must I search it out? I was watching you; I
saw your eyes and the man whose glance struck you down."

Caroline gave a start, and covered her face with both hands.

"What have you in common with young Lord Hilton?"