"My poor darling," said Mary Douglas, with great tears dimming her
beautiful eyes, "why did you thus suffer in silence? Can it be possible
that you can have passed the long winter with such a weight upon your
heart, my darling Rosamond?"

"Ah, my Mary," replied her ladyship, "I hope that you may never know how
much the heart can bear, or how much woman, in her uncomplaining nature,
may suffer. If I could only learn 'to suffer and be strong'--in that
source lies my weakness. I am only one of the many thousands of my sex
who have had such struggles. I do not wish to shirk the duty imposed on
me, but if more strength were given me to bear it."

Mary Douglas sat in silence for some moments, as if waiting a sufficient
reply. She knew her friend's disposition too well to venture any advice
that would require a third person's knowledge of the matter. Gladly
would she have referred it to her father or mother, but the idea gave no
relief.

"Rosamond, my darling, if I could afford your mind instantaneous relief
I would gladly do so, if even at a very great sacrifice. Of one thing
rest assured--you have my service in any way that you wish to command
me; besides, you have my sympathy and interest for life. It may be that
I can slightly alleviate your sorrow. Can I not propose some plan in the
future to re-arrange those affairs which at present seemed so irrevocably
fixed? Kings have made laws to be broken when the cause demanded
retribution. Darling, be more hopeful--trust in Providence and do the
right--in the end you will be happy. Let me read your horoscope:--dark
clouds within the visible horizon, succeeded by bright stars in
ascension--hope and joy without fail."