“Carolyn, my dearest Carolyn! what is it?” Turning and flashing upon him her fierce, imperious eyes, she stretched out her arm, and pointed in scornful silence to the handkerchiefs on the floor. He went and picked them up to examine them. Oh! treacherous absence of mind! Oh! fatal refrain of the mental melody! Oh! horror of horrors! Catastrophe of catastrophes! Upon every handkerchief was beautifully marked—“KATE KAVANAGH.” “Confirmation strong As proof from Holy Writ.” Ay, and a great deal stronger, as sight is more convincing than faith! What was to be done? It was in vain to deny or attempt to explain it! Yet he must try, even if he should make himself ridiculous. Hurling the fatal “handkerchiefs” down with virulence, he sprang to the side of the outraged and indignant beauty; seized her hand, exclaiming, vehemently— “My dearest love—pardon! pardon! This is all a mistake!” Spurning his clasp from her hand, she turned away in arrogant silence. Dropping upon one knee, he took her hand again, and looking up in her face, said, in a voice of entreaty— “My Carolyn! this is all a mistake!—the most absurd mistake! The effect of the merest absence of mind! The most ridiculous thing!” “Oh, sir!” she answered, with slow and withering scorn, drawing her hand away again, “I do not doubt it was a mistake. I never supposed you would dare an intentional insult to my father’s daughter!” “But, Carolyn, my dearest cousin, only permit me to explain—” “Oh, sir, I _entreat_ you spare me the humiliation of hearing the story!” she sneered, with curling lip. “But, Carolyn, my dear, loved bride! My bride, that will be, to-morrow—if you will allow me to tell you all the simple truth—the _reason_ why this young girl’s name ran in my head so.” “Oh, sir,” she exclaimed, raising both hands, and turning away her head in loathing—“I _implore_ you!—I most _humbly beseech_ you to forbear! Spare me _details_ that might shock my—delicacy!” “Carolyn,” he said, gravely and reproachfully rising, and taking her hand—“this does not become you.” Throwing off his hand, with scorn and indignation, she replied—