a bigger prize.

"Either I inherit Mrs. Aylmer's wealth or I marry Maurice Trevor and
inherit it as his wife," she thought. "I think I see my way. He is
depending on me in spite of himself. He will never marry Kitty Sharston.
He neither wants her nor she him. He is to be my husband, or, if not, he
goes under completely and I secure Mrs. Aylmer's wealth. No amount of
writing would give me what I shall get in that way. I can keep Florence
quiet with this, and she is welcome, heartily welcome, to the cheap
applause."

CHAPTER XXXII.

TREVOR AND FLORENCE.

It was Bertha's intention to go back to the railway station in the
dogcart in order to secure the pheasants and fruit for the coming party;
but just as she was preparing to jump on the cart Mrs. Aylmer herself
appeared.

"My dear Bertha," she said, "where are you going?"

Bertha explained.

"That is quite unnecessary. You can send Thomas. I want you to come for
a drive with me. I wish to see Mrs. Paton of Paton Manor. I have not yet
returned her call. There are also other calls which I want to make. The
young people are away enjoying themselves, and our elderly friends have
gone shooting. You must come with me, as I cannot possibly go alone."

As Mrs. Aylmer spoke the jingle of bells was heard, and Bertha, raising
her eyes, saw the pretty ponies which drew Mrs. Aylmer's own special
little carriage trotting down the avenue. Bertha had always to drive
Mrs. Aylmer in this little carriage, and, much as she as a rule enjoyed
doing so, it was by no means her wish to do so now. She looked at Mrs.
Aylmer.

"The cook really does want the things from town."

"That does not matter, my dear. Thomas is driving the dogcart and can
call for the things. He had better go straight away at once."

Mrs. Aylmer gave directions to the man, who whipped up the horse and
disappeared down the avenue.

Bertha felt a momentary sense of despair; then her quick wit came to the
rescue.

"I quite forgot to give Thomas a message," she said; "he must have it.
Excuse me one minute, Mrs. Aylmer."

Before Mrs. Aylmer could prevent her she was running after the dogcart
as fast as she could go. She shouted to Thomas, who drew up.

"Yes, miss," he said; "the mare is a bit fresh; what is it?"

"You must take this parcel; there is a young lady waiting for it at the
station: see that she gets it. Get one of the porters to put it into her
hand. There is no message; just have the parcel