is of
denial that Arthur looked at her in wonder. "You must not do that. I
won't allow it. He is waiting for me to give an answer to Lord
Everscourt, and he would be so upset and distwessed. He likes you, and
so does mother, but--Oh, you know how it is! You know what they want!
You know how disappointed they would be!"

"Yes, I know, and I should be sorry for them, for it would be a
reasonable disappointment. You are their only daughter, and from their
point of view Everscourt can do better for you than I; but, my darling,
in this matter you must think first of yourself! It is your life that
is at stake, and it is for you to choose whether you prefer love or
riches. Your parents will bow to your decision, for they love you too
much to destroy your happiness. Your mother would feel it most, but I
would do my best to reconcile her to the disappointment, and as for your
dear, good father, there is one thing which would grieve him infinitely
more than the loss of a brilliant marriage. Can you guess what it is,
Rosie?"

"No," she said, "no," but her eyes drooped, and she fidgeted uneasily
with the handle of her parasol. Arthur laid one hand over hers with a
quick pressure, and, despite its firmness, his voice was very gentle as
he replied:

"Yes, you do, dear. You guess what I mean. He would rather see you
married to me than know that you had deliberately sold yourself for
money while your heart was given to another man. In the one case he
would admire your sincerity, in the other he could feel neither
admiration nor respect, nothing--it seems to me--but shame and
humiliation!"

Rosalind drew in her breath with a deep inhalation. It was true, and
she knew it was true! Lord Darcy had never failed to hold the highest
ideals before his daughter, and it would be a bitter grief to him if she
condescended to an unworthy choice. Already, in imagination, she could
see the shadow fall across the tired old face, and she shivered as if in
pain, for her father's respect and good opinion were very precious in
her eyes. Many a time in days gone past had the fear of his disapproval
held her back from a foolish action, and, in this crisis of her life, it
was more than ever necessary to her peace of mind to retain his
approval. She stood hesitating and trembling, and, unseen to mortal
eyes, the good angel of Rosalind Darcy's life stood by her side at that
moment and whispered counsel in her ear. The worldly motives s