that had been all the
world to her, she would fall dead at his feet. But she did not; nor did
the slightest moan or cry escape her white lips.

She had expected that Jay Gardiner would cry out in wonder or in anger
when he saw her; that he would recognize her with some show of emotion.
But he only looked at her, and then turned as carelessly away as any
stranger might have done. And in that moment, as she stood there, the
very bitterness of death passed over her.

Mrs. Gardiner's next remark called their attention completely away from
her, for which she was most thankful.

"Dear me, how very selfish I am!" exclaimed the grand old lady, in
dismay. "I had forgotten how time is flying. The guests will be
wondering why you and your bride tarry so long, my dear boy. A servant
will show you to your suite of rooms. Your luggage must have been
already taken there. You will want to make your toilets. When you are
ready to go down to the reception-room, let me know.

"Do not forget to wear all the Gardiner diamonds to-night, my dear,"
were the lady-mother's parting words. "Every one is expecting to see
them on you. They are famous. You will create a sensation in them; you
will bewilder, dazzle, and astonish these country folk."

Bernardine did not hear the young wife's reply. She would have given all
she possessed to throw herself on her knees on the spot his feet had
pressed and wept her very life out.

Ah! why had he wooed her in that never-to-be-forgotten past, made her
love him, taken her heart from her, only to break it?

A moment later, Miss Margaret glided into the room and went straight up
to her mother's side.

"I have just greeted and welcomed Jay and his bride, mamma," she said,
speaking before her mother's companion quite as though she had not been
present. But she paused abruptly as though she thought it best to cut
the sentence short.

"Well," replied her mother, eagerly, "do you like Jay's bride, Margaret?
You always form an opinion when you first meet a person, which usually
proves to be correct."

"My brother does not look quite happy," replied Miss Margaret, slowly.
"His bride is most beautiful--indeed, I have never met a young woman so
strangely fascinating--but there is something about her that repels even
while it draws me toward her."

"I experienced the same feeling, Margaret," returned Mrs. Gardiner. "But
it seems to me only natural that we should experience such a sensation
when looking upo