Her husband had indeed, when too late, listened to her urgent
admonitions. He had resigned his seat in parliament when his physical
powers were a mere wreck of his former self. Disease had crept in by
stealth and was only too truly realized by the deep ravages thus
made--by the wasted and emaciated form--the feverish cheek and sunken
eye.

The noble sympathetic nature of the dutiful wife felt a severe shock as
she daily was brought face to face with the dreaded fact--the awakening
reality of her husband's condition. Every care that could be bestowed by
the hand of woman was lavished upon Gerald Bereford with unceasing and
untiring devotion. No duty was too troublesome, no wish was slighted,
except that which urged her ladyship to be more attentive to her
personal wants. Every sacrifice must be made that can possibly give
returning health and strength to the future lord of Bereford Castle. No
bitter repinings now possessed the heroic woman. Her whole being was
thrown into the scale to balance the opposing weight which crushed her
husband's almost lifeless existence. The voice of one who repeatedly
made the halls of parliament ring with deafening applause was now with
an effort heard by those standing near.

It was when such trouble bore heavily that Mary Douglas opened her heart
towards her friend Lady Rosamond. She came unbidden to offer such
service as was in her power to perform. She silently watched by the side
of Gerald Bereford with that gentle caution so needful when suffering is
apparent, or when an interval of pain or depression is to be guarded
against as a thief in disguise.

Not a single expression ever passed between those friends with reference
to any thing that happened in Fredericton. Mary Douglas was careful to
avoid any allusion to circumstances which might call up a sudden host of
by-gone fancies which, ere this, should be consigned to the remotest
regions in the realm of utter oblivion. She was now the friend and
sympathizer of Lady Rosamond Bereford, not the childish maiden as when
first introduced, but a lovely, gifted, talented and accomplished woman,
whose mind matured with her years. Time has not lain heavily on her
hands, she having labored assiduously in exercising those talents
committed to her keeping. In after years we find the following: "Her
gifts were so varied that she was both a composer and musician, a
novelist and poet." The friend of Lady Rosamond Bereford was not to be
affected