These circumstances gave some relief to lady Rosamond and taught her many lessons through suffering to which she could return with thankful gratitude for the bitter trials so heavily imposed.  Sometimes a feeling of remorse took possession of her ladyship as she looked upon the face of her husband and fancied that there rested a yearning, wistful look, a lingering for her truer sympathy.  She sometimes felt that her husband also cherished his vain regrets, his moments of bitter conflicts when he tried to smother the unbidden thoughts that would thus arise.  These fancies often roused Lady Rosamond to a sense of her duty with wholesome effect.

This mark of royal favor was not lost upon Lady Rosamond.  Her Majesty expressed a wish to receive the king’s favorite among the ladies of her household.  But the tearful eyes of the beautiful matron forbade any further mention.  The German propensities of Queen Adelaide would not force any measure thus proposed.  Lady Rosamond had full access to the royal household, receiving the confidence of her royal patroness with true grace.

Now began the struggle for Reform in the Parliament.  Throughout the kingdom arose the cry of Reform which had been echoed from the second French revolution.  Among all classes arose the war note of Reform.  It sounded loud and high.  It was borne over the continent.  Nothing but Reform.  Reform of the House of Commons was the subject discussed at every fireside.

Affairs had now reached a political crisis.  The Duke of Wellington, with his unrestrained and high-bred principles of conservatism, could not brook such an innovation upon the time-honored laws and customs of the British constitution.  He could not favor a faction that would countenance the spoliation of England’s hitherto undimmed greatness and national pride.  Hence arose a new ministry under the united leadership of Earl Grey and Lord John Russell.  In Gerald Bereford the supporters of the Reform measure found a zealous adherent.  He seemed to lay aside every other consideration in advancing the scheme which lay so near his heart.  Lengthy and private consultations were held between the latter and his sincere friend and adviser, Earl Grey.  Days and nights were passed in fierce and endless controversy in the House of Commons.

This was the only point in which Lady Rosamond failed to convince her husband of the injury sustained by such constant turmoil and anxiety involved in these measures.  When she quietly endeavored to reason upon such a course of conduct he smilingly replied:  “My darling, duty calls me and you would not see me inactive when the demand is so imperative?  Surely my beautiful rose would not like to have the breath of slander attached to her husband as guilty of cowardice or desertion from the ranks of his party?  Ah, no, my darling,” cried the earnest politician, preventing his wife’s retort with the tender kisses of a true and ardent love.  It did indeed