The Time of Roses

ever at getting out of these tight corners: of extricating herself from these, to all appearances,

n the world over again. Then chance put Mrs. Aylmer the great in her way. Mrs. Aylmer wanted a companion, a clever companion, and Bertha was just the girl for the purpos

to be breathed in her presence; she was looking around anxiously for an heir. With Bertha Keys she felt soothed, sympathised with, restored to a good

d; "I hate the idea of giving it to chariti

Bertha, her queer green-grey e

ed Mrs. Aylmer, "and Florence's mother being about the biggest fool

?" said Bertha, on o

a boy?

man," said Be

lady found herself more or less in disgrace for the next few days. Nevertheless, the idea took root. Mrs. Aylmer,

s they grew to be men, they were more or less a protection. Boys, of course, had

friend, a great friend, a woman whom as a girl she had really loved. This woman was now a widow: she was a certain Mrs. Trevor. She had married an army man, who had died gloriously in battle. He had won his V. C. before he departed to a

with me," was Mrs. Aylmer's te

ings-he was a lad of eighteen at this time-and sent him

did look distinctly amiable. Soon she got into his confidence, and he talked of his future. He wanted to go into the army, as his father had done before him. Bertha suggested that he should tell his desire to Mrs. A

ned out quite to her satisfaction she would make him her future heir. He must live with her during the holidays; he must give up his mother's society,

. He went to Trinity College, Cambridge, took honours there, and now at four-and-twenty years of age was to a certain extent his own master, and yet was more tied and fettered than almost any other young man he knew. To tell the t

he felt that he could scarcely s

at the "Crown and Garter," thought over Maurice Trevor, his futu

st that. In the first place, it would not suit my convenience. I mean to inherit Mrs. Aylmer's property, either as the heiress in my own person or as the wife of Maurice Trevor. It is true that I am older than he, but I have three times his sense: I can manage him if another girl does not interfere. He must leave here immediately. I

ught a ver

aid to herself; "but he shall not meet her. I like him: I want him for myself; when the time co

ven a dangerous day, but that did not prevent her sleeping soundly. Early in the morning, however, she rose. She was dressed before seven o'clock, and waited an

. Must go. Will explain to you when writing. Do not l

the clock struck eight, Bertha was standing at the telegraph-office; it was so early that she knew the li

ly wondering if he could see Florence again: if he could lead up to the subject of the school where she had suffered disg

ding him the little yellow envelope. H

r; she wants me to come up to-day: says i

Aylmer. Mrs. Aylmer, Mr. Trevor has had an urgent

er looked

ce," she said, "on an expedition to Warren's Cove

" said Bertha,

Maurice feels that he really mus

of course, it depends on what really ails mother. Fr

Mrs. Aylmer shortly; "she is one of those faddi

Trevor, in

you mean

d not say anything aga

nation that Bertha trembled in her shoes, but

said; "yes, go, by all means: only return to

ning a little; but the gloom

Bertha, who thought that he required soothing, and felt

all ask the station porter