er, "Is your friend here?" seemed not that of a very young woman.

In her presence, Miss Bowen instinctively rose.

"Yes, she is here," said Nathanael, answering the stranger. "You could
not have learnt what I wrote yesterday to my father and to Elizabeth.
She is Agatha Bowen, my--my wife that will be. Agatha, this lady is Miss
Anne Valery."

It would be hard to say which of the two thus suddenly introduced to
each other was most surprised. However, the elder lady recovered herself
soonest.

"I was not aware of this; but I am very glad. And I need not now
apologise for thus intruding."

She went up to the young betrothed, and took her by the hand warmly,
seeming at once and without further explanation to comprehend all; while
on Agatha's side, her look, her voice, her touch, communicated a sudden
trust and pleasure. It was one of those instinctive, inexplicable
attractions which almost every one has experienced more or less during
life. She could not take her eyes off Miss Valery; the face and manner
seemed at once familiar and strange. She had never been so impressed by
any woman before.

To show all hospitable attentions, to place an arm-chair for her guest,
and even, as she appeared weary, to entreat her to put aside her bonnet
and mantle--seemed quite natural to Miss Bowen, just as if they had
been friends of years. Anne thanked her courteously, let her do what she
would--but all the while looked anxiously at Nathanael.

"You know we have much to say. Is she aware of what I told you?"

"Not yet; I could not tell her; it shocked me so. Oh, my poor uncle!"

Agatha, who was unfastening her guest's cloak, turned round.

"What, your Uncle Brian? Has anything happened? You speak almost as if
he were dead."

Anne Valery shivered.

"Dead! God forbid!" cried the young man, more deeply moved than his
betrothed had ever seen him. "But we have had ill news. He went as
interpreter on a Government mission, as he had often done before; he was
so popular among the Indians. But from some treachery shown them, the
tribe grew enraged and carried him off prisoner. Heaven only knows if
they have spared his life. But I think--I feel they will. He was so just
to the red men always. He is surely safe."

"Yes, he is safe," repeated Miss Valery, as if any alternative but that
were utterly incredible and impossible.

Nathanael continued: "The tidings reached Kingcombe yesterday, and our
friend here, coming to London, voluntee