had longed for a sister all her life! Heaven was very good to
her, to give her all ties through one! It seemed, indeed, right and holy
that she should be married to Nathanael.

One only unutterable terror she had, which by a fortunate chance was
never alluded to by any one, and she was too much occupied to have it
often forced on her mind. This was, the thought of having to cross the
seas to Canada.

"Oh!" she sighed, as she sat, with the letters on her lap, listening to
what her lover said of his sisters and his family--"oh! that we could
do as your father seems to wish, and go and live in Dorsetshire, near
Kingcombe Holm."

"I wish it too, if it would please you, dear; but it seems impossible.
How could I live in England without a profession?--even supposing Uncle
Brian did consent to return and settle at home. Sometimes, but very
rarely, he has hinted at such a possibility.--He has indeed, Anne,"
continued the young man, noticing how keenly Miss Valery's eyes were
fixed on him.

"I am glad to hear it."

"But he always said he would never return till he was grown either
very rich or very old. Alas; the latter chance may come, but the former
never! Poor Uncle Brian! If he comes at all, it is sure not to be for
many years."

"Not for many years!" repeated Miss Valery, who was crossing over to
Agatha's side with a piece of rich lace she had been unfolding. As she
walked, her hand was unconsciously pressed upon her chest, a habit she
had after any quick movement. And, leaning over Agatha, she breathed
painfully and hard.

"My dear?" The young girl looked up. "Your sisters that are to be
desired me to give you from them a wedding-present. It was to be your
veil. But I had a whim that I would like to give you your veil myself.
Here it is. Will you accept it, with my love?"

[Illustration: Will you accept it, with my love p090]

So saying, she laid over the bride's head a piece of old point lace,
magnificent in texture. Agatha had never seen anything like it.

"Oh, Miss Valery, to think of your giving me this! It is fit for a
queen!" And she looked at Mr. Harper, hesitating to accept so costly a
gift.

"Nay, take it," said he smiling. "Never scruple at its costliness; it
cannot be richer than Anne's heart." And he grasped his old friend's
hand warmly.

Miss Valery continued, with a slight colour rising in her cheek. "This
was given me twenty years ago for a wedding-veil. It has been wasted
upon me, you see