n her labor. Her
life ceased to seem either lonely or monotonous. Still, the spirit that
worked within her was far more precious than any actual result she
obtained. She had a noble object in view; and, unconsciously to herself,
it purified her heart from all bitterness, or wounded vanity, or
impatience. A great sorrow nobly borne, is a great dignity. The very
insult which had seemed to condemn her to a wasted existence, was
transformed into a source of life and fruitfulness, by the wise humility
with which she accepted it.

Ten years passed thus, and in the matured woman of thirty, few could have
recognized the forsaken girl of nineteen. But the present only fulfilled
the promise which was then latent in her character.

All this time her husband had endeavored to forget that he was married.
Shortly after the ceremony, he went abroad with his regiment; and after
some time spent in active service, he returned to England, and quitted the
army with the brevet rank of general. He resided partly in London and
partly in Bath, leading the usual life of a man of fashion in those days,
and making himself remarkable for his brilliant extravagances.

About that time a young and beautiful actress appeared, who speedily
became the object of adoration to all the young men of fashion about town.

General Pollexfen was one of her lovers, and carried her off one night
from the theatre, when she came off the stage between the acts. He allowed
her to assume his name, and lavished a fortune upon her caprices; although
her extravagance and propensity to gambling involved him in debt.

Ten years had thus passed, when the cousin, whose marriage was mentioned
at the beginning of this story, was ordered to Bath by her physician. She
entreated Mary to accompany her, who, after some persuasion, consented. It
was a formidable journey in those days, and they were to stay some months.
They found a pleasant lodging. Mary, with some reluctance, was drawn into
society, and occasionally accompanied her cousin to the Assemblies, which
were then in high vogue.

General Pollexfen was absent from Bath when his wife arrived there. He had
been called up to London by some lawyer's business, and calculated upon
being absent three weeks.

It so chanced, however, that the business was concluded sooner than he
expected, and that he returned to Bath without announcing his coming. He
went at once to the Assembly, and was walking through the rooms in a
chafed