misery the
most unendurable. Then she experienced the cruel mockeries of the world;
_then_ she felt pangs that the glare and display of wealth must
cover--that the tribute of homage vainly sought to satisfy. At those
moments a picture of never-fading reality would flit before her mental
vision in mocking array--a picture in which her ladyship knelt with
expressive and silent gaze at the feet of the stern monitress, Duty,
whose defiant scowl denies appeal from the speaking depths of the
mournful dark eyes. Two forms are discerned in the background; the
foremost reveals the features of Gerald Bereford casting fond glances
towards the kneeling figure in the foreground. Duty wears a smile as she
beckons his approach with tokens of deep appreciation. There still
lingers another form. Whose can it be? Can we not recognize that face,
though indistinct, in the dim outline? Duty steps between and intercepts
our view. This is the picture from which Lady Rosamond vainly tried to
withdraw her thoughts, repeating the consoling words with saddened
emphasis: "Everything is ordered for the best."

CHAPTER XV.

POLITICAL LIFE.

While Lady Rosamond received the homage of a thousand hearts and plunged
into the ceaseless round of busy life, her husband was engaged as a
fierce combatant in earnest conflicts in the political arena within the
limits of Parliament. Enclosed by vast and wondrous piles of stately
architecture, the champions fight for their respective boroughs with
untiring energy and vehement fiery ardour. The ministry, headed by the
Duke of Wellington, stood much in need of all the force which it could
bring to bear upon the rallying strength of the opposing element. Among
the latter was arrayed Mr. Bereford. His penetrating judgment and shrewd
activity were considered an important acquisition to the ranks of his
colleagues. His masterly and eloquent harangues never failed to force
deep conviction and prove the justice of his principles. Even Lady
Rosamond felt a secret pride in listening to those earnest appeals which
disclosed the honest motives by which they were actuated. Though not
gifted with the brilliant powers displayed in the conversational genius
of those women who had evidently devoted much attention to the study of
politics, her ladyship tried to feel an interest in the measures for
which her husband had devoted many of his waking hours, his superior
intellectual powers, his fond ambition. In this sourc