Lady Douglas little divined the cause of those pale cheeks, as she ascribed them to the recent fatigue of an evening.

With heavy heart Lady Rosamond prepared for the reception of her confidante.  A most beautiful picture is presented to the imagination in those lovely girls sitting side by side the arm of Mary Douglas around her companion.

“Mary, my love,” began Lady Rosamond, “I have often longed for this moment, but could not summon the courage which the occasion demands.”

“Rosamond, you startle me by your earnestness,” said the former with deep surprise, dropping the title, as familiar companions, at the suggestion of her ladyship.

“Have patience, my darling; you shall hear it only too soon.”

Between sighs and sobs Lady Rosamond told the whole history of her troubles—­the letter and its stern proposal—­not forgetting her father’s kindness and his great love for her; “but oh!” she continued, “he cannot realize the depths of my misery.”

“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.”

A spirit of inspiration seemed to shine upon the face of Mary Douglas as she read her companion’s future.

A smile lit up the features of Lady Rosamond.

“Thank heaven, darling, for that smile,” said the gifted daughter of Sir Howard, throwing her arms around the sorrowing girl and kissing her affectionately.