"Yes, both, here, in the bathing-room," said Rosamond, and she brought
them to the lady, who placed them upon the table--not for herself, but
for one who would need them more--for poor, poor Rosamond. The
disrobing proceeded slowly, for the little girl was well pleased with
the figure reflected by the mirror. But Miss Porter could not wait,
and when the wreath, the veil, and berthe were removed, she seated
herself by the window in a position which commanded a full view of her
victim's face; and forcing down the throbbings of her heart, which it
seemed to her were audible in that silent room, she commenced the
story.




CHAPTER X.

THE STORY.


"My home," began Miss Porter, "is, as you know, in Florida. I am an
only child, as were both my parents, so that I have now living no
nearer relative than a great-uncle--a superannuated clergyman, who
superintends my affairs, and who, in case I die before he does, which
is very probable, will be heir to my possessions.

"It is now nearly ten years since my father started for Europe, and I
went to an adjoining state to visit a widow lady, whom I had met in
New Orleans the winter previous. It is not necessary that I should use
real names, consequently I will call her Mrs. Le Vert. She was
spending the summer on her plantation, at what she called her country-