altering--"I have had an offer of marriage."

"God bless my soul!" stammered out Major Harper, completely thrown off
his guard by surprise. A very awkward pause ensued, until, his natural
good feeling conquering any other, he said, not without emotion, "The
fact of your consulting me shows that this offer is--is not without
interest to you. May I ask--is it likely--that I shall have to
congratulate you?"

"Yes."

He rose up slowly, and walked to the window. Whether his sensations were
merely those of wounded vanity, or whether he had liked her better than
he himself acknowledged, certain it was that Major Frederick Harper was
a good deal moved--so much so, that he succeeded in concealing it. He
came back, very kind, subdued, and tender, sat down by her side and took
her hand.

"You will not wonder that I am somewhat surprised--nay, affected--by
these sudden tidings, viewing you as I have always done in the light of
a--younger sister--or--or a daughter. Your happiness must naturally be
very dear to me."

"Thank you," murmured Agatha; and the tears came into her eyes. She felt
that she had been somewhat harsh to him; but she felt, too, with great
thankfulness, that, despite this softening compunction, her heart was
free and firm. She had great liking, but not a particle of love, for
Major Harper.

"I trust the--the gentleman you allude to is of a character likely to
make you happy?"

"Yes," returned Agatha, for she could only speak in monosyllables.

"Is he--as your friend and guardian I may ask that question--is he
of good standing in the world, and in a position to maintain you
comfortably?"

"I do not know--I have never thought about that," she cried, restlessly.
"All I know is that he--loves me--that I honour him--that he would take
me"--"out of this misery," she was about to say, but stopped, feeling
that both the thought and the expression were unworthy Nathanael's
future wife, and unfit to be heard by Nathanael's brother.

"That he would take me," repeated she firmly, "into a contented and
happy home, where I should be made a better woman than I am, and live a
life more worthy of myself and of him."

"You must then esteem him very highly?"

"I do--more than any man I ever knew."

The Major winced slightly, but quickly recovered himself. "That is, I
believe, the feeling with which every woman ought to marry. He who
wins and deserves such an attachment is"--and he sighed--"is a happy
man!--Happier,