Lady Rosamonds Secret | Page 2

studying the effect of
successive design. Trees of grace and beauty arose on every side in
exquisite drapery, while softly curved outlines added harmony to the
whole, teaching the wondrous and creative skill of the Divine. The
picturesque river flows gently on, calm, placid, and unruffled save by
an occasional splash of oars of the pleasure seekers, whose small white
boats dotted the silvery surface and were reflected in the calm depths
below.
On such an evening more than half a century ago when the present site
of Government House was occupied by the plain wooden structure
known as "Old Government House," a group of ladies was seated on
the balcony apparently occupied in watching the lingering rays
descending behind the hills. Suddenly the foremost one, a lovely and
animated girl whose beauty baffled description, espied a gentleman
busily engaged in admiring some choice specimens of flowers which
were being carefully cultivated by a skilful gardener. Bounding away
with the elasticity of a fawn, her graceful form was seen to advantage
as she stood beside the high-bred and distinguished botanist. The
simple acts of pleasantry that passed shewed their relationship as that
of parent and child. Sir Howard Douglas was proud of his beautiful and
favorite daughter. He saw in her the wondrous beauty of her mother

blending with those graces and rare qualities of the heart which won for
Lady Douglas the deep admiration of all classes. Beauty and amiability
were not the entire gifts of Mary Douglas. She was endowed with
attainments of no ordinary stamp. Though young, she displayed
uncommon ability in many different branches of education; shewing
some skill as a composer and musician, also a talent for composition
and poetry. With simple earnestness she placed her hand lovingly upon
her father's shoulder, exclaiming "Papa, dear, I have come to watch you
arrange those lovely flowers." "Well, my dear, you are welcome to
remain. I am certainly complimented by such preference. You must
allow me to acknowledge it by this," saying which, the fond parent
plucked a white rosebud and fastened it in the snowy lace upon the
bosom of his child. "Papa, dearest, one act of love certainly deserves
another," exclaimed Mary, as she fondly pressed the lips of Sir Howard,
adding "remember that you are my chevalier for the remainder of the
evening. When you have finished, we will rejoin the company." Mary
Douglas seated herself in a rustic chair and chatted in gay and animated
tones while her father listened with a deep interest. The well tried
soldier, the gallant commander at Badajos, at Corunna, the hero of
many fierce conflicts, and the firm friend and favourite of the Duke of
Wellington, listened to the conversation of his daughter with as much
keenness as a question involving the strongest points of diplomacy.
"Papa, this garden will fully repay you for your labour. I do wish that I
could understand and enter into the study of plants and flowers as you
do." "Ah, my Mary," exclaimed Sir Howard in a deep reverential tone,
as his thoughts went back to the days of his boyhood, "I had a kind
benefactress, and I may say mother in my aunt Helena. She created in
me an early love for flowers, and I have always cherished it. Often
during my campaign in the Peninsula, the sight of a lovely flower
would call up emotions that would for the time unman me for the
raging conflicts of battle. I always look upon flowers as the trophies of
God's grace. Mary, I trust you yet will be able to attend to the
cultivation of Heaven's choicest offerings, and remember, that by so
doing, you only contribute a small share in the beautifying of nature."
Having enjoyed this strain of converse for some length of time, Mary
Douglas rose, exclaiming, "Now, Papa, you are at my service." Sir

Howard bowed, and offered his arm to his fair daughter. Together they
went out, being greeted by the merry party still lingering on the
verandah. "Explain, Mary," said the foremost of the party, "this breach
of confidence and utter contempt of the necessities of your friends. We
have been vainly waiting your appearance to join us in a walk, and now
it is nearly time to dress for dinner." "Very prettily said, Lady
Rosamond," replied Sir Howard, "but as I wear my lady's favour, you
will grant me a hearing on her behalf." Pointing to the spray of
mignonnette and forget-me-not which Mary Douglas had placed on his
coat, he continued, "I hope that your company has employed the
moments as profitably. We commenced with vows of love and
constancy, then followed topics of general conversation, and ended on
the study of flowers. With this explanation perhaps some of this goodly
company might favor us