"I've got at Mr.Richards' and I'll get at yours as sure as my name is Rose." The intervening days before the ball, Rose was too much absorbed in her preparations, and anticipations of conquest, to give her mind much to Agnes Darling and her secrets.

That great and hidden trouble of her life--her unfortunate love affair, was worrying her too.

Mr.Stanford, in pursuance of his promise to Kate, played the agreeable to her sister with a provoking perseverance that was proof against any amount of snubbing, and that nearly drove Rose wild.

He would take a seat by her side, always in Kate's presence, and talk to her by the hour, while she could but listen, and rebel inwardly.

Never, even while she chafed most, had she loved him better.