Lady Rosamonds Secret | Page 6

wearied
in their bright day dreams thus woven together. Nothing could exceed
the grief of those companions when it was announced that the family of
Sir Howard Douglas was soon to depart for New Brunswick. Lady
Rosamond was inconsolable, and after urgent entreaties on the part of
Lady Douglas, Sir Thomas Seymour consented to allow his daughter to
remain with them for two years, after which she would for a time
assume the duties and responsibilities of his household. Hence, Lady
Rosamond Seymour came to New Brunswick with the family of Sir
Howard Douglas, and thus we find her the friend of Mary Douglas in
Fredericton.
In after chapters will be found the reason for thus introducing Lady
Rosamond. To return to the preceding narrative. After the ladies
withdrew the gentlemen remained to discuss over their cigars and wine.
Mr. Howe began by repeating the affair among the messmates of the
52nd, and the result of his friendly interference. The warmth of his
passion was aroused and he vehemently exclaimed, "Trevelyan, I both
regard and respect you as a gentleman and friend, and feel regret that
you were so unfortunate as to become attached to one of the most
dissolute and dissipated of His Majesty's Regiments." The secretary
was about to proceed when he was interrupted by Captain Douglas.
"Strong terms, Howe. Your case would in some instances demand
redress but I repeatedly avow not if considered in the light of reason."
Mr. Howe saw in the strange light of Sir Howard's eye that His

Excellency would now give, in a few words, his decision with unerring
judgment. "Gentlemen," said he, rising from his seat and casting
successive glances at all, "Mr. Howe seems to feel that the treatment
received this afternoon should justify his seeking redress from those
military gentlemen. Would any here think it necessary to create a
breach between the Regiment and ourselves, from the fact of their
having, while under the influence of liquor, shewed an incapacity to
treat a guest with becoming respect, being utterly indifferent to every
feeling save that engendered by abuse of appetite? Do I state it aright
Mr. Howe?" "Your Excellency is right," said the Secretary, "sometimes
I see the foolishness of being hot-tempered, but never more than on this
occasion."
"We can afford to laugh at the matter now, Howe," said Captain
Douglas, "to-morrow you will heap coals on their heads with a
vengeance." The company enjoyed a hearty laugh, in which His
Excellency joined. "You may have cause to bless your stars that you
were absent, Trevelyan," said Mr. Douglas, "as you might have been
pressed into service against Howe."
Guy Trevelyan was indeed a young man of marked ability and much
promise. His father, Colonel Trevelyan, was a brother officer with Sir
Howard during the Peninsula campaign. For signal service he was
rewarded by knighthood and the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel. Having
obtained for his son, Guy, a commission in H. M. 52nd Regiment,
Lieutenant-Colonel Trevelyan hailed with delight the tidings of his
friend's appointment to the Governorship of New Brunswick. The
Regiment was then stationed in Fredericton and St. John--headquarters
at the former--with Major McNair in command, while the companies
stationed at St. John were in charge of Sir Thomas Tilden. In His
Excellency, Guy Trevelyan had a warm-hearted friend. The son of
Colonel Trevelyan was dear to him. Many times Sir Howard looked
upon his handsome boyish face, pleased with tracing the strong
resemblance between father and son. The open, generous and manly
disposition of the young Lieutenant shone in every lineament of his
countenance. Guy Trevelyan was loved by every member of the
Douglas family. Lady Douglas showed him daily marks of favour,

making him at ease in the bosom of her household. Nor did our young
officer abuse these acts of true kindness and personal privilege.
Unassuming, gentle and affable Guy Trevelyan was more eagerly
sought than seeking. Sir Howard admired his favorite, his diffidence
and bashful coyness. "He is one to make a mark," said he. "Give me the
disposition of Guy in preference to those aping and patronizing airs
assumed by the majority of young gentlemen on entering the army."
Once, on addressing Lieutenant-Colonel Trevelyan, he wrote the
following: "Have no fear for Guy; he is a true scion of the old stock.
His nature is truthful, honourable and sincere, not being addicted to
those vices which ruin our bravest soldiers. He has endeared himself to
our family, in fact, Lady Douglas would lament his absence almost the
same as one of her own sons."
Having made this digression, thus introducing the principal members of
the company, we will now ask the reader to follow the ladies into the
drawing room. Government House drawing room was indeed an
apartment of costly elegance. Richly covered and