osamond, the
latter would secure an inheritance of which she was next direct heir,
being the niece of the present lord incumbent.

Lady Rosamond weighed all these arguments and tried to find by some
means a possibility of escape, but all lay in the dark and dim distance,
exacting heavy payment from her ladyship.

This was a heavy blow to a person of Lady Rosamond's sensitive nature.
The thought was revolting to her. For some time previous a dim
foreboding haunted her--a presentiment of gloom and of deep sorrow. On
receiving the letter its weight seemed to lie heavily upon her. Now the
contents again caused her much pain. To whom could she go for comfort?
To whom unburden her mind? Leaning her head upon the table Lady Rosamond
sought refuge in tears. She sobbed bitterly. "It is at this trying
moment I miss my dear mother," murmured the poor girl in faltering
accents of outspoken grief. "Heaven pity those who have no mother. With
her loving and tender heart my mother never would have allowed the
sanctity of my feelings to be thus invaded and trampled upon. And my
dear father, I love him, but can I fulfil his wishes? It is my duty! Oh,
heaven direct me!"

Poor Lady Rosamond! Her sorrow was indeed deep. In the midst of such
murmurs she arose, walked to the window, and once more fanned her cheeks
with the cooling breath of heaven, which afforded momentary relief.

As the large plate mirror opposite reflected the tear stains upon her
pale but lovely face, Lady Rosamond resolved to banish all traces of
sorrow. Returning from the adjoining dressing-room not a shade clouded
the features of the suffering girl. The silken ringlets of her raven
black hair were rearranged with bewildering profusion, while the
feverish blush added to her surpassing charms. A faint smile passed over
Lady Rosamond's features as she tried to appear gay and assumed those
girlish charms which made friends on every side, from Sir Howard to the
youngest member in the household. "Oh, dear, what shall I do?" escaped
the lips of the sufferer. "What will bring this matter to an end?" But
pride would not allow Lady Rosamond to reveal her feelings. She would be
a true Seymour. It were well that she possessed this spirit, being in
this instance an offset to injured delicacy.

Having remained in privacy longer than it was customary, she reluctantly
prepared to meet the family. Descending the upper stairway, she was met
by one of the children who had come to su