ve guineas for
each story I shall earn a considerable sum. I can then live easily. I do
not mind how poorly I live if only I am assured of a certainty."

She walked across the room and looked out; the expression on her face
had changed: it had grown hard and defiant. She took up her pen, drew a
sheet of note-paper before her, and began to write:--

"DEAR BERTHA--

"The story is accepted by that new six-penny magazine, the
_Argonaut_, and they want more. Please send me something else.
I have succumbed to temptation, and am once again, as you so
earnestly desire, in the toils.

"Yours,

"FLORENCE AYLMER."

Having written this letter, Florence proceeded to write another:--

"DEAR MRS. TREVOR--

"I have thought of your kind offer of yesterday. Indeed, I have
scarcely ceased to think of it since I left you. It is with
great, great sorrow that I must decline it. You and your kind
son had better think no more about me. I am not what I seem: I
am not a good girl nor a nice girl in any way. If I were
straight and simple and honest I could be the happiest of the
happy in your house; but I am not, and I can never tell you
what I really am. Please forget that you ever knew me.

"Yours, with gratitude,

"Florence Aylmer."

CHAPTER XXIII.

BERTHA'S JOY.

Bertha Keys found herself in a state of pleasurable excitement. She was
in the highest spirits.

Mrs. Aylmer, as she watched her flit about the room, and listened to her
gay conversation, and observed her animated face, said to herself: "A
more charming companion could not fall to the lot of any woman. Now what
is the matter, Bertha?" she said. "Your face quite amuses me; you burst
out into little ripples of laughter at the smallest provocation. That
dress is extremely becoming; it is a pleasure to see you. What is it, my
dear? Have you heard any specially good news?"

"I have heard this news, and I think we ought both to be very happy,"
said Bertha. "Mr. Trevor comes home this evening; he will be with us to
dinner."

Mrs. Aylmer gave her companion a keen, searching glance.

"Miss Keys," she said slowly.

"Yes," said Bertha, pausing and laying her hand lightly on a little
table near; "do you want me to do anything?"

"Nothing in especial: you are always doing things for me. You are a good
girl and a valuable secretary to me; you suit me to perfection. Now, my
dear, I