nd despair of last night a dream.

Only too happy to imitate her, I began to talk of a score of indifferent
matters. About everything she had some piquant, bright words to say. By
the time breakfast was ended I had really begun to think I must have
dreamed the most unpleasant scene.

Yet I thought to myself that I must be guarded. I must continue to be
kind to her because she had no other friends, but all kindness shown to
her must be of the true, cousinly type.

This morning, instead of lingering with her while she went through the
conservatories, as had been my idle fashion, I went at once into Clare's
room. Coralie noticed the change, for her face grew pale as I quitted
the room.

Some weeks passed without anything happening. I went over to Harden
Manor every day. The sun never set without my seeing Agatha, and every
day I loved her more and more.

She was so simple, so tender, so true; now that she had promised to be
my wife, there was no idle coquetry about her, no affection of shyness.
She was simply perfect, and it seemed to me that by some wonderful
miracle I had reached the golden land at last.

Then I began to agitate for an early marriage. Why wait? Lady Thesiger
told me laughingly that there was much to do at Crown Anstey before I
could take my wife home.

"Remember," she said, "that before your sister came there had been no
ladies at the Hall for some years. The late Lady Trevelyan died sixteen
years ago."

I saw that she had completely forgotten the existence of mademoiselle,
and did not care to remind her of it.

"You will want to refurnish a suite of rooms for Agatha," she continued;
"and there will really be so much to do that if we say Christmas for the
wedding, that will be quite soon enough."

"It seems like an eternity!" I said, discontentedly.

"It is the most picturesque season of the year for a wedding," said Lady
Thesiger, "I like the holly and evergreens even better than summer
flowers."

So it was settled; Clare agreed with Lady Thesiger that Crown Anstey
required preparation for a bride.

"Those reception rooms want refurnishing," said my sister. "Of course,
after your marriage you will give parties and balls. You will have to
show hospitality to all the county, Edgar."

Half to my consternation, she said this before Coralie. I looked at her
hastily, wondering how she would take it. Her beautiful face was quite
calm, and wore an expression of pleased interest.

"Do you agr