Mary Douglas completed the family circle.  With her came love, joy, hope, and happiness.  Her lovely presence gave fresh impulse to every one greeting her arrival.  Lady Rosamond felt a ray of light shed upon her as she caressed her true and constant friend.  Maude was happier, if possible, in the love of Geoffrey Seymour when listening to the sweet silvery voice of this peerless woman.  Fanny was overjoyed on the arrival of Mary Douglas.  She alone could open her heart before the gaze of a companion.  Her affections were untrammelled by false hopes or unrequited love.  She sought the society of the former with a feeling bordering on idolatry.  Together they spent much of their time, while Captain Trevelyan was thrown upon the resources of Lady Rosamond.  The constant companionship of the man whom she loved cost many a bitter struggle to her ladyship.  The earnest gaze of Guy Trevelyan’s soft eyes were indeed hard to bear.  If he only knew the power thus exercised upon the fair being beside him.  But Lady Rosamond had kept her secret from the eye of any living creature save herself.  Captain Trevelyan must not discover the fatal knowledge.  He must never know.  Still they conversed together, talked together, and spent many hours together, having much opportunity to fathom the depths of each other’s heart.  Lady Rosamond seemed cheerful, content, and happy.  Captain Trevelyan was apparently light-hearted, pleasing, agreeable, and attentive.  Each guest endeavored to make the most of this friendly meeting.  Even Lady Bereford strove to forget her feelings and rally her former spirits and dignified stateliness.  Bereford Castle enjoyed a season of delight.

One lovely evening afterwards several voices mingled in the shrubbery adjoining the garden.  Maude was conversing in animated tones with Fanny Trevelyan.  Geoffrey Seymour had played truant to his lady love by gallant attention to Mary Douglas.

In a remote corner, almost beyond hearing of these, and scarcely visible through the foliage, were the forms of a lady and gentleman seated beneath the sheltering branches of a stately elm.  A nearer approach shows the rising color of the rose-tinted cheeks—­the glorious light in those lovely eyes—­the bewitching and irresistible smile.  A manly voice is heard exclaiming in the tones of a rapturous lover, “Rosamond, my own darling, I never expected to realize such happiness.  In the possession of such love I am a thousandfold rewarded for a lifetime of misery.  Yes, my peerless Rosamond, the last half hour has amply repaid the torturing pangs of a forlorn and hopeless love which I have suffered since first beholding you.”  At this avowal the speaker leaned towards Lady Rosamond Bereford, revealing the features of Captain Trevelyan.  In a moment of passionate fervor he had confessed his undying attachment to the lovely Rosamond, and had received the blissful assurance of reciprocated love.  He was in possession of a happiness beyond description as he told the oft repeated tale to his betrothed wife, listening to her voice as it fell like music upon his ear.  The fond kiss which sealed their vows was more precious than the mines of Golconda.  Truly did Guy Trevelyan idolize the beautiful woman who had now surrendered her heart to his keeping.