losely its contents, and, with evident ease,
places it in an envelope which she seals and addresses. A servant in
livery answers the summons of a silver bell standing beside the desk.
Her ladyship, drawing aside a hanging of silver tissue, approaches the
door where the missive is delivered in charge of the liveried attendant.
With a sense of relief Lady Bereford returns to the library to await the
morning mail.

Lady Bereford indeed lavished all the fondness of a mother's pride upon
her first-born. Maude was to her a simple-minded, gentle girl, whose
sole influence was her mother's will. The daughter of Lord Bereford was
a true type of her father: gentle, conscientious and sympathetic.

In Lady Rosamond, Maude Bereford could see no reason for such anxiety as
was manifested by her mother, yet she would feel disappointed if her
companion would form another attachment. Maude loved her brother with
all the tenderness of her nature, while Gerald Bereford returned this
love with deep fervent gratitude. His sister was to him the connecting
link with Lady Rosamond. He took pleasure in daily walks with Maude,
whose playful childish ways often reminded him of the absent cousin. The
future lord of Bereford Castle was worthy the love of the fairest,
purest and truest. He possessed a spirit of independent manliness, and
would brook no favor that was not warranted by honor.

When Gerald Bereford asked his uncle for a right to address the Lady
Rosamond, it was from a spirit of honor. He dearly loved the beautiful
girl, though he had never avowed his feelings, and when she treated his
advances with coolness, he still cherished the hope that in the end his
love would be reciprocated. On receiving the joyful assurance from Sir
Thomas that the great object of both families was the consummation of
these hopes, the ardent lover was happy beyond doubt. Sir Thomas had led
Gerald Bereford to believe that the Lady Rosamond had always favoured
his suit, but in girlish caprice had refused him any encouragement until
the expiration of her visit, when she would return home ready to receive
the courtly attentions of her relative.

Cheered by these fond assurances, Gerald Bereford did anxiously look
forward to Lady Rosamond's return. Sir Thomas had indeed communicated
this matter to his nephew with a firm assurance of the realization on
the part of both. He doubted the true feelings of his child, but he was
determined that the event should take pl