y circle. All was unrestrained pleasure and
genial delight on this evening. Lady Rosamond was seated beside the gay
and attractive secretary, who was endeavoring to engage his companion as
an ally against the more formidable onset of Captain Douglas. She did
fairly surprise the latter by the earnestness of her replies, her
forcible expressions, and the weighty arguments upheld by superior
judgment. Lieutenant Trevelyan, as he converses with Lady Douglas,
betrays no outward feeling. He shows no preference for Lady Rosamond,
being more frequently the companion and attendant of Mary Douglas, who,
in trusting friendship, reposes in her young friend a happy confidence.
Despite this assumed ease on the part of Guy Trevelyan, the keen
interest hitherto exhibited by Mr. Howe has lost none of its freshness.
The charm still lingers. All hope has not fled, though the light is in
the uncertain future. In Lady Rosamond the well concerted plans of the
secretary find no compromise. Dreading an exposure of her weakness she
has thrown around her a formidable barrier which the most deadly shafts
cannot penetrate. In the possession of this defence she can withstand
the united efforts of a lengthy siege. Upon all those operations she can
look grimly on and bid defiance. Mr. Howe felt this as he tried to force
an entrance to the heart of this lovely maiden to wrest from her, if
possible, a secret that would give a hopeful assurance to his projects.
An incident shortly afterwards occurred which forever banished those
thoughts from his mind, leaving no further room for doubt; still the
fact cannot be overlooked, that the spirit which pervaded the private
secretary of Sir Howard Douglas, was fraught with generosity and true
manliness.

One evening as Captain Douglas and the latter were indulging in a quiet
chat the conversation turned upon Lady Rosamond.

"She is indeed possessed of remarkable strength of character, which is
the more surprising from the natural timidity and gentleness of her
disposition," remarked Captain Douglas.

"I have greatly admired her of late, and have, on more than one occasion
tried to study the depths of her nature," returned Mr. Howe, with sudden
earnestness. He was bent upon disclosing further plans to his friend
when the latter exclaimed:

"By jove! Gerald Bereford is a lucky fellow, to win the Lady Rosamond as
his future bride."

A look of startled surprise betrayed the excited feelings of Mr. Howe,
leadin