She came in very softly, crossed the room, sat down on the sofa beside Cora, and slipped her arm around the lady’s waist, purring and cooing: 

“I have been waiting to find you alone, dearest.  I just heard your brother go down stairs.  Mr. Rockharrt has told you, dear?”

“Yes; he has told me.  Take your arms away from me, if you please, Mrs. Stillwater, and pray do not touch me again,” quietly replied the young lady, gently withdrawing herself from the siren’s close embrace.

“You are displeased with me.  Can you not forgive me, then?” pleaded Rose, withdrawing her arms, but fixing her soft blue eyes pleadingly upon the lady’s face.

“You have given me no personal offense, Mrs. Stillwater.”

“Cora, dear—­” began Rose.

“Mrs. Rothsay, if you please,” said Cora, in a quiet tone.

“Mrs. Rothsay, then,” amended Rose, in a calm voice, as if determined not to take offense—­“Mrs. Rothsay, allow me to explain how all this came to pass.  I have always, from the time I first lived in his house, felt a profound respect and affection for your grandfather—­”

“Mr. Rockharrt, if you please,” said Cora.

“For Mr. Rockharrt, then, as well as for his sainted wife, the late Mrs. Rockharrt.  I—­”

“Madam!” interrupted Cora.  “Is there nothing too holy to be profaned by your lips?  You should at least have the good taste to leave that lady’s sacred memory alone.”

“Certainly, if you wish; but she was a good friend to me, and I served her with a daughter’s love and devotion.  In my last visit to Rockhold I also served Mr. Rockharrt more zealously than ever, because, indeed, he needed such affectionate service more than before.  He has grown so much accustomed to my services that they now seem vitally necessary to him.  But, of course, I cannot take care of him day and night, in parlor and chamber, unless I become his wife—­’the Abisheg of his age.’  And so, Cora, dear—­I beg pardon—­Mrs. Rothsay, I have yielded to his pleadings and consented to marry him.”

“Mr. Rockharrt has already told me so,” coldly replied Cora.

“And, dear, I wish to add this—­that the marriage need make no difference in our domestic relations at Rockhold.”

“I do not understand you.”

“I mean in the family circle.”

“Oh! thank you!” said Cora, with the nearest approach to a sneer that ever she made.  “I have heard all you have to say, Mrs. Stillwater, and now I have to reply—­First, that I give you no credit for any respect or affection that you may profess for Mr. Rockharrt, or for disinterested motives in marrying the aged millionaire.”

“Oh, Cora—­Mrs. Rothsay!”

“I will say no more on that point.  Mr. Rockharrt is old and worn with many business cares.  I would not willingly pain or anger him.  Therefore, because he wills it, for his sake, not for yours, I will attend you to the altar.  Also, if he should desire me to do so, I shall remain at Rockhold until the return of Mr. Fabian Rockharrt.”