Lieutenant Trevelyan was now serving in H. M. 81st regiment under the command of Colonel Creagh—­a veteran of Waterloo—­who was highly pleased with the flattering testimonial he had received from Major McNair, relative to the irreproachable character borne by the young favorite.

A heavy cloud lowered over Government House.  Its inmates were once more wrapped in gloomy thought.  Mary Douglas already felt the pang of separation.  Lady Rosamond was to return home.  Her visit had been lengthened beyond the term allowed; now she must obey the summons without further delay.  Painful thoughts crossed her ladyship’s mind as she made the necessary preparations.  Her fate was already sealed.  She could not turn aside the resistless torrent that marked the course over which she must be borne by the skill of the fearless and merciless pilot, Lady Bereford.

In the outward conduct of Lady Rosamond none could detect the spirit which actuated her feelings.  Lady Douglas closely watched every movement.  Were it not for the emotion which the former betrayed on receiving the contents of Lady Bereford’s letter, would it not have occurred to her to suspect the heart of Lady Rosamond.  It was this circumstance which gave concern to Lady Douglas.  She kept her own counsel, yet was impressed with the belief that Sir Thomas Seymour, in conjunction with Lady Bereford, was forcing her favorite into a marriage that was distasteful to her wishes.  The longer her ladyship dwelt upon the matter the more deeply she felt concerned; but knowing the inflexible temper of Sir Thomas and the influence of Lady Bereford, she concluded that the case was indeed a hopeless one.

Mary Douglas was the only being to whom Lady Rosamond had confided the secret relative to her father’s wishes.  Some days preceding her departure the beautiful features of the young girl bore traces of grief.  In the arms of her fond companion she had wept sad and bitter tears.

“This shall be the last exhibition of my feelings,” vehemently cried Lady Rosamond, “you will never again see a tear of mine, at least from the same cause, but darling promise me now that you will never divulge my secret?”

“Accept my promise, Rosamond,” returned Mary, impressing a fond kiss upon the lips of the gentle and loving girl.

The promise thus made was faithfully kept to be referred to in after years as a dream of the past which was still fresh in the beauty and loveliness of true friendship.

Lieutenant Trevelyan bore the knowledge of Lady Rosamond’s departure with firm composure.  He was kind, genial and entertaining.  The strange and uneasy expression came and went with no remark save that it gave much annoyance to the kind hearted secretary.

The latter saw that no advances were made on the part of the young lieutenant.  Her ladyship would depart while the story would remain untold.