I must, however, tell you that at first, for the first two years of my married life, I was in despair.

There seemed to me no hope, no respite--nothing but despair.

Now I have grown accustomed to my misery, and can wear it with a smile; then it was otherwise.

At that time I was first introduced to Count Jules Ste.Croix.I hate myself," she continued, passionately, "when I remember how that man duped me.

I did not think him handsome, although other ladies raved of his beaux yeux and his classical face.
"But I liked him, Basil, because he had the art of expressing silent sympathy for me.