marriage jointure of fifty thousand pounds, to be placed in the hands of
the trustees. By the marriage of Gerald Bereford and Lady Rosamond, the
latter would secure an inheritance of which she was next direct heir,
being the niece of the present lord incumbent.

Lady Rosamond weighed all these arguments and tried to find by some
means a possibility of escape, but all lay in the dark and dim distance,
exacting heavy payment from her ladyship.

This was a heavy blow to a person of Lady Rosamond's sensitive nature.
The thought was revolting to her. For some time previous a dim
foreboding haunted her--a presentiment of gloom and of deep sorrow. On
receiving the letter its weight seemed to lie heavily upon her. Now the
contents again caused her much pain. To whom could she go for comfort?
To whom unburden her mind? Leaning her head upon the table Lady Rosamond
sought refuge in tears. She sobbed bitterly. "It is at this trying
moment I miss my dear mother," murmured the poor girl in faltering
accents of outspoken grief. "Heaven pity those who have no mother. With
her loving and tender heart my mother never would have allowed the
sanctity of my feelings to be thus invaded and trampled upon. And my
dear father, I love him, but can I fulfil his wishes? It is my duty! Oh,
heaven direct me!"

Poor Lady Rosamond! Her sorrow was indeed deep. In the midst of such
murmurs she arose, walked to the window, and once more fanned her cheeks
with the cooling breath of heaven, which afforded momentary relief.

As the large plate mirror opposite reflected the tear stains upon her
pale but lovely face, Lady Rosamond resolved to banish all traces of
sorrow. Returning from the adjoining dressing-room not a shade clouded