It was a pretty room, nearly square, and lighted by diamond-paned casement windows. There was a bright carpet on the floor, and white muslin curtains with deep frills at the window. A bright fire burned, and blazed on the hearth with a cheerful roating. In the walls were recessed bo ikeases well filled with standard works. A cottage piano, open, stood opposite the wmdows.-.r;^A'\little tabl*-, drawn up beaide a low eaayichair, stood near the fire, supporting a work basket well filled with small flannel gar ments, intended, without doiibf, for p or children. > There were, in addition, a few well-chosen pictures,' and a little stand of house plants, luxuriant in leaf and house blossom. \ 'i

The room waa, in shortj library parlor, and sitting-room in one, nnd although exquisitely neat waa evidently in con stant use. '

'•I see no grimness nor asceticism hero,' thought Hugh, anxiously. «Book?, music, sewing, audfliwera! This room would not be < unfitting, evea dainty, womanly Rosamond Wilchester. fcihe must have a warm heart dwpite all her wrongs—my poor mother! Will she receive me ? Will she own me ag her son on the proofs I have brought ?'. : H^ caught his breath quickly, hearing

'huar.^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^H over his s>u^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^J sei. He fe t^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^f deadly, sickening^^^^^^^^^^^^^H mother might bo took^l^^^^^^^^^J He looked at her palerM^^^^^^H with a wild ai;d b; seeching every feature. • ... .. 'You wished fo see me s sir P^^^^M a voico, full of kindly pity. ' My^i^^ vaut cays tfrit you are wounded. Pray resume you seat.' Hugh dashed bis hand to his eyes, clearing away ibe miat that darkeued them, rind bent eager glances on the lady. • Yon are Mi«a Daane V he whispered. The lady bow. d. For a moment Hugh was silent, still gazing at her. He-boh eld a taH, slender, and graceful woman, bnautifnl after a grand typn, with n face at once noble and swtet, and with a regal dignity of hairing and gracioumess if mauner that would have be titled a quo- v. His wore a tr^iiiug dress of heavy black silk, with hce shading her throat and hfinds. Her waving hair of jetiy blackness w*s gathered into a coil high at the back of her head, after the fashion of to-day. Her black eyes, largp, velve.tly, and soulful, glowed softly under the shadow of her long lashes. 