r the unbidden thoughts that would thus arise. These
fancies often roused Lady Rosamond to a sense of her duty with wholesome
effect.

This mark of royal favor was not lost upon Lady Rosamond. Her Majesty
expressed a wish to receive the king's favorite among the ladies of her
household. But the tearful eyes of the beautiful matron forbade any
further mention. The German propensities of Queen Adelaide would not
force any measure thus proposed. Lady Rosamond had full access to the
royal household, receiving the confidence of her royal patroness with
true grace.

Now began the struggle for Reform in the Parliament. Throughout the
kingdom arose the cry of Reform which had been echoed from the second
French revolution. Among all classes arose the war note of Reform. It
sounded loud and high. It was borne over the continent. Nothing but
Reform. Reform of the House of Commons was the subject discussed at
every fireside.

Affairs had now reached a political crisis. The Duke of Wellington, with
his unrestrained and high-bred principles of conservatism, could not
brook such an innovation upon the time-honored laws and customs of the
British constitution. He could not favor a faction that would
countenance the spoliation of England's hitherto undimmed greatness and
national pride. Hence arose a new ministry under the united leadership
of Earl Grey and Lord John Russell. In Gerald Bereford the supporters of
the Reform measure found a zealous adherent. He seemed to lay aside
every other consideration in advancing the scheme which lay so near his
heart. Lengthy and private consultations were held between the latter
and his sincere friend and adviser, Earl Grey. Days and nights were
passed in fierce and endless controversy in the House of Commons.

This was the only point in which Lady Rosamond failed to convince her
husband of the injury sustained by such constant turmoil and anxiety
involved in these measures. When she quietly endeavored to reason upon
such a course of conduct he smilingly replied: "My darling, duty calls
me and you would not see me inactive when the demand is so imperative?
Surely my beautiful rose would not like to have the breath of slander
attached to her husband as guilty of cowardice or desertion from the
ranks of his party? Ah, no, my darling," cried the earnest politician,
preventing his wife's retort with the tender kisses of a true and ardent
love. It did indeed seem strange that the more earnestly Lad