have no wish to part with you."

"To part with me?" said Bertha. She looked startled and raised her
curious greeny-grey eyes with a new expression in them.

"To part with you, Bertha; but if you set your heart on Mr. Maurice
Trevor you and I must part."

"What does this mean? Do you want to insult me?"

"No, my dear, by no means; but girls will be girls. How old are you,
Miss Keys?"

"I am seven-and-twenty."

"And Maurice is three-and-twenty," said Mrs. Aylmer. "He is four years
your junior; but that in affairs of the heart, I am afraid, does not
matter much. You like him, I can see. My dear Miss Keys, the moment I
see my adopted son paying you the slightest attention you must leave
here. I daresay he never will pay you that kind of attention, and
probably it is all right; but a word to the wise is enough, eh?"

"Quite enough," said Bertha; "you are a little unkind, my dear friend,
to speak to me in that tone, and when I was so happy too. Believe me, I
have not the slightest intention of marrying anyone. I have seen too
much trouble in married life to care to cast in my lot with the married
folks. I shall live with you as your companion as long as you want me.
May I not like Mr. Trevor, and be a sort of sister to him?"

"Certainly, only don't be too sisterly or too friendly; do not ask for
his confidence; do not think too much about him. He is a charming
fellow, but he is not intended for you. My heir must marry as I please,
and I am already looking out for a wife for him."

"Indeed; how very interesting!"

"There is a young girl I happen to know, who lives not far from here.
She is extremely handsome, and will have a great deal of money. I mean
to invite her to Aylmer's Court next week. Now you, Miss Keys, can do a
great deal to promote a friendly feeling between the young people; but I
will tell you more of this to-morrow."

"Thank you," replied Bertha. "I wonder," she continued, "who the girl
is."

"That, my dear, I will tell you by-and-by. At present you are to know
nothing about it."

The sound of wheels was now heard on the gravel and Bertha ran
downstairs.

"Poor dear Mrs. Aylmer," she said to herself; "it is easy to blind her
after all. I do not at all know at present whether I want to marry
Maurice or not; but, whatever happens, I inherit my dear friend's money,
either as his wife, or on my own account: it does not in the least
matter which. No wonder I am in good spirits! He comes back to-ni