She too was an Earl's daughter, and had been much loved by our Earl's first wife.

Lady Scroope had been the elder by ten years; but yet they had been dear friends, and Lady Mary Wycombe had passed many months of her early life amidst the gloom of the great rooms at Scroope Manor.

She had thus known the Earl well before she consented to marry him.

She had never possessed beauty,--and hardly grace.

She was strong featured, tall, with pride clearly written in her face.