lit in a woman's breast, is like the central
fire hidden in the earth's bosom, enduring through all surface
variations--through summer and winter, earthquakes, floods, and
storms--utterly unchangeable and indestructible. And, however wildly
extravagant this simile may sound--however rare the fact it illustrates,
nevertheless such Love is a great truth, possible and probable, which
has existed and may exist--thank God for it!--to prove that He did not
found the poetry of all humanity upon a beautiful deceit.

Something of this mystery was beginning to stir in the wife's heart;
the girl-wife, married before her character was half formed--before
the perfecting of real love, which, taking, as all feelings must, the
impress of individual nature, was in her of slow development.

As Agatha lay, her head hidden on her husband's shoulder, guessing out
of her own heart something of what was passing in his, there came to her
the first longing after that oneness of spirit, without which marriage
is but a false or base union, legal and sanctified before men, but, oh!
how unholy in the sight of God!

The young wife felt as if now, and not until now, she could unfold
to her husband all the secrets of her heart, all its foolishness,
ignorance, and fears.

"If you will listen to me, and not despise me very much, I will tell you
something that I have never told to any one until now."

She could not imagine why, but at this soft whisper he trembled;
however, he bade her go on.

"You wonder why it is I am so terrified at leaving England? It is not
for any of the reasons you said, but for one so foolish that I am half
ashamed to confess it. I dare not cross the sea."

"Is that all?" Mr. Harper cried, and the unutterable dread which had
actually blanched his cheek disappeared instantaneously. He felt himself
another man.

"Wait, and I'll tell you why this is," continued Agatha. "When I was
a little child, somewhere about four years old, I was at some seaport
town--I don't know where nor ever did, for there was no one with me but
my nurse, and she died soon after. One day, I remember being in a
little boat going to see a large ship. There were other people with us,
especially one lady. Somehow, playing with her, I fell overboard." Here
Agatha shuddered involuntarily. "It may be very ridiculous, but even
now, when I am ill or restless in mind, I constantly dream over again
that horrible drowning."

Her husband drew her closer to hi