ed into grave anxiety.

"Are you really going on that mad expedition?" said the elder brother,
with the air of a man who, being perturbed in his own mind, is ready to
take a harsh view of everything.

"I do not think it mad--and anything short of madness I ought to
undertake, and shall--for him."

"Ay," muttered the other, "there it is, Brian always made everybody love
him."

"But," continued Nathanael, "as I said last night to Miss Bowen, I shall
do nothing foolishly. We must hold ourselves prepared for the worst;
still, if better tidings should come--though that is scarcely possible
now--then perhaps"----

"You would not go!" cried Major Harper, eagerly. "Which would of course
delay your marriage. How very much better that would be."

"Why so?" said the bridegroom, with a piercing look.

Frederick appeared confused, but threw it off with a laugh.

"Oh, women like a little longer courtship. They are never caught all in
a minute, unless they are quite indifferent as to who catches them. And
even then--'marry in haste'--you know the proverb--nay, don't be angry,"
he added, as his brother turned abruptly away. "I was only jesting; and
a happy fellow like you can afford to be laughed at by a miserable old
bachelor like me."

The momentary annoyance passed. Nathanael was, indeed, too happy to be
seriously vexed at anything.

"Still, for some reasons," continued Major Harper, "I wish my fair ward
were not becoming my sister in such a terrible hurry. So much to be done
in one week, and by a man like me who hates the very name of business;
it is next to impossible but that some things should he slurred and
hurried over. For instance, there was no time, Grimes said, to draw up
a long deed of settlement, showing precisely where her money was
invested."

"I told you I wanted nothing of the kind. I scarcely understand your
English law. But can it not be stated in plain legal form--a dozen lines
would surety; do it--that every farthing Agatha has is settled upon
herself exclusively from the day she becomes my wife."

"That is done. I--I--in fact, Mr. Grimes had already advised such a
course as being the shortest."

"Then what is the use of saying any more about it?"

"But, brother," observed Major Harper, in whose manner was perceptible a
certain vague uneasiness, "if--though I assure you Grimes has transacted
all these matters, and he is a sharp man of business, while I am
none--still, if it would be any satisfac