quarter, I should never have
presumed to propose for it. I beg now to withdraw such a false
step.

Accept my best wishes for your happiness in a union with the more
fortunate man of your choice, and believe me to be now and ever,

Your obedient servant,

CUMBERVALE.

Scarcely had Cora's eyes fallen from the paper when Lady Pendragon's
carriage drove up to the door.

Glad of the interruption that enabled her to escape from the parlor, and
give way to the passion and grief and despair that were swelling her
heart to breaking, Cora hastened to her bed chamber and threw herself
down upon the couch in a paroxysm of sobs and tears.

Mrs. Rockharrt waited in the parlor to receive the visitor, but no
visitor came up. Only two cards were left for the two ladies, and then
the Countess of Pendragon rolled away in her carriage.

On Friday morning the Rockharrts left London. And on Saturday morning
they sailed from Liverpool. After a prosperous voyage of ten days they
landed at New York.

"My soul! there is Rothsay on the pier, waving his hand to us!"
exclaimed the Iron King, as he led his little wife down the gang plank,
while Cora came on behind them.

Yes; there was Rule, his tall figure towering above the crowd on the
pier, his rugged face beaming with delight, his hand waving welcome to
the returning voyagers. He received his friends as they stepped upon the
pier. He shook hands warmly with Mrs. Rockharrt, heartily with the Iron
King, and then, behind them, with Cora, and before Cora knew what was
coming she was folded in the arms and to the faithful breast of her
life-long lover--only for a moment; and then he drew her arm within his
own and led her on after the elder couple, whispering:

"Dear, this is the happiest day I have ever seen as yet, but a happier
one is coming--soon, I hope. Dear, how soon shall it be?"

"You must ask my grandparents, Rule. Their judgment and their
convenience must be consulted," she answered in a low, steady tone.

She had no thought now of breaking her engagement with Rule, though her
heart seemed breaking. She still loved that rugged man with the sisterly
affection she had always felt for him, and which, in her ignorance of
life and self, she had mistaken for a warmer sentiment, and resolved, in
wedding him, to do her whole duty by him for so long as she should live,
and she hoped and believed that that would not be very long.

Rothsay led the way to a ca