He had made his money in grain speculation and railroad ventures, and was reputed to be worth something over two millions.

His wife was a sister of Mrs.Winslow of Raymond.

She had been an invalid for several years.

The two girls, Rose and Felicia, were the only children.

Rose was twenty-one years old, fair, vivacious, educated in a fashionable college, just entering society and already somewhat cynical and indifferent.