enthusiasm, as she followed her father through the mazes of the
game, and her clear silvery laughter had more charm than the
ravishing strains of the most brilliant fantasia.

Surrounded by the _elite_ of the city of St. John, Evelyn Verne
was courted by the rich, the gay and the distinguished. It was the
sole end of Mrs. Verne's existence that her daughters should make
grand matches. For this purpose she entered upon a career which we
intend to pursue through all its straight and crooked paths, hoping
in the sequel to impart the sad but profitable lesson!




CHAPTER II.

SUNNYBANK.


Sunnybank, the stately residence of the Vernes, is indeed an
imposing structure. Its towering form and massive appearance mark it
as one of the noblest piles in St. John. Its costly windows,
reflecting all the colors of the rainbow; its solid brick walls,
stone pillars and grand entrance, bespeak it the home of wealth and
affluence. Even the solid brick pavement leading from the main
gateway to the terrace marks the substantial tone of the edifice,
and impresses one with the stability of its owner. And the statuary,
seen from the highway, denotes the taste displayed in the vestibule,
with its floor of tesselated pavement, echoing to the tread of
footsteps as the corridors of some grand old cathedral.