he Abisheg of his age.' And so,
Cora, dear--I beg pardon--Mrs. Rothsay, I have yielded to his pleadings
and consented to marry him."

"Mr. Rockharrt has already told me so," coldly replied Cora.

"And, dear, I wish to add this--that the marriage need make no
difference in our domestic relations at Rockhold."

"I do not understand you."

"I mean in the family circle."

"Oh! thank you!" said Cora, with the nearest approach to a sneer that
ever she made. "I have heard all you have to say, Mrs. Stillwater, and
now I have to reply--First, that I give you no credit for any respect or
affection that you may profess for Mr. Rockharrt, or for disinterested
motives in marrying the aged millionaire."

"Oh, Cora--Mrs. Rothsay!"

"I will say no more on that point. Mr. Rockharrt is old and worn with
many business cares. I would not willingly pain or anger him. Therefore,
because he wills it, for his sake, not for yours, I will attend you to
the altar. Also, if he should desire me to do so, I shall remain at
Rockhold until the return of Mr. Fabian Rockharrt."

At the sound of this name Rose Stillwater winced and shivered.

"Then, knowing that his favorite son will be near him, I shall leave him
with the freer heart and go away with my brother, withersoever he may be
sent. Mr. Fabian is expected to return within a few weeks, and will
probably be here long before my brother receives his orders. Now, Mrs.
Stillwater, I think all has been said between us, and you will please
excuse my leaving you," said Cora, as she arose and withdrew from the
room.

Then Rose Stillwater lost her self-command. Her blue eyes blazed, she
set her teeth, she doubled her fist, and shaking it after the vanished
form of the lady, she hissed:

"Very well, proud madam! I'll pay you for all this! You shall never
touch one cent of old Aaron Rockharrt's millions!"

Having launched this threat, she got up and went to her room. Ten
minutes later she drove out in a carriage alone. She did not return to
luncheon. Neither did Mr. Rockharrt, who had gone down to Wall Street.
Sylvan and Cora lunched alone, and spent the afternoon together in the
parlor, for they had much to say to each other after their long
separation, and much also to say of the impending marriage. During that
afternoon many packages and bandboxes came by vans, directed to Mrs.
Rose Stillwater. These were sent to her apartment. At dusk Mrs.
Stillwater returned and went directly to her room.