so far took possession of him as to grasp him by the
heartstrings. But though he knew well that in the end both one and the
other would conquer and lay him low, yet still he was in a measure
victor. That strong nourishment, those potent medicines were keeping the
life in him; while his still eager absorption in business prevented that
time for reflection which was worse than death. His medical man, knowing
nothing of his inner history, had begged of him to rest, to give up
business, assuring him that by so doing he would prolong his short span
of life. But Harman had answered, and truly, "If I give up business I
shall be in my grave in a fortnight;" and there was such solemn
conviction in his voice and manner, that the physician was fain to bow
to the dictum of his patient. Except once to his brother Jasper, and
once to Hinton, Mr. Harman had mentioned to no one how near he believed
his end to be. The secret was not alluded to, the master of the house
keeping up bravely, bearing his pains in silence and alone, and that
subtle element of rejoicing began to pervade this quiet, luxurious home
which precedes a wedding. Only one in the dwelling ever thought of
funeral gloom.

Little Harold Home had gone to Torquay with his mother. Hinton was once
more free to go in and out of the house in Prince's Gate, and he and
Charlotte were necessarily much occupied with each other. There seemed
to these two so much to be done, and the time seemed so short until the
twentieth of April, that had the very sun stood still for them, they
would have felt no undue sensation of surprise.

When people are about to step into the Garden of Eden even nature must
sympathize, and marriage seemed that to Charlotte and Hinton. After
their wedding tour it was arranged that they were to come to the house
in Prince's Gate. For some time Mr. Harman had begged them to make it
their home; but though Hinton could not oppose, he had a hope of some
day settling down in a smaller house. He liked the power which wealth
could give, but he was so unused to luxuries, that they were in
themselves almost repellent to him. Charlotte, on the contrary, was
perfectly happy to live in the old place. Home to this womanly heart was
wherever her loved ones were; and she also acceded joyfully to another
question which otherwise might have appeared a little either strange or
selfish. Her father begged of her not to extend her wedding tour beyond
a week. "Come back to me," sai