e future welfare,
and what is of a thousand times greater importance in your eyes
and in mine, Phillida's happiness. Whatever may be your feelings
toward me I know that Phillida can count on your entire devotion
to her interests.
CHARLEY.

The only thing that seemed to Millard a little insincere about this
rather stiff note was the reason assigned for writing to Agatha. Her
persuasions, as Millard well knew, did not have less of authority about
them than her mother's. But this polite insincerity on a minor point he
had not seen how to avoid in a letter that ought to be shown to Mrs.
Callender.

Agatha gave her mother the note to read, telling her, however, in
advance that she proposed to manage the case herself. Mrs. Callender was
full of all manner of anxieties at having so difficult a matter left to
one so impetuous as Agatha. For herself she could not see just what was
to be done, and two or three times she endeavored to persuade Agatha to
let her consult Phillida about it. A consultation with Phillida had been
her resort in difficulties ever since the death of her husband. But
Agatha reminded her that Mr. Millard had intrusted the matter to her own
keeping, and expressed her determination not to have any more of
Phillida's nonsense.

Phillida observed that Agatha was not giving as much attention to
preparations for the journey as she expected her to. Nor could Phillida
understand why the parlor must be swept again before their departure,
seeing it would be snowed under with dust when they got back. But Agatha
put everything in perfect order, and then insisted on dressing her
sister with a little more pains than usual.

"I wouldn't wonder if Mrs. Hilbrough calls this afternoon," said the
young hypocrite. "Besides I think it is good for an invalid to be
dressed up a little--just a little fixed up. It makes a person think of
getting well and that does good, you know."

Agatha refrained from an allusion to faith-cure that rose to her lips,
and finding that Phillida was growing curious she turned to a new
subject.

"Did mama tell you what Miss Bowyer says about your case, Philly?"

"No."

"Mrs. Beswick told mama that she had it from Mr. Martin. Miss Bowyer
told Mr. Martin the other day that she knew you would get well because
she had been giving you absent treatment without your knowledge or
consent. Didn't you feel her pulling you into harmony wit