to have a
house of one's own!"

And the tears almost came into her eyes at thought of that long vista of
future joy--the years which might pass in this same dwelling.

"My husband," she said to the person who showed them over the place--and
her cheeks glowed, and her heart dilated with a tender pride as she used
the word--"my husband will come to-morrow and make his decision. I think
there is very little doubt but that we shall take the house."

So anxious was she to conclude the matter and let Mr. Harper share in
all her pleasant feelings, that she excused herself from staying at
Emma's until he came to fetch her, and determined to walk back to meet
him.

"What, with nobody to take care of you?" said Emma.

"The idea of anybody's taking care of me! We never thought of such a
thing three months ago. I used to come and go everywhere at my own sweet
will, you know." Nevertheless, it was a sweet thought that there _was_
somebody to take care of her. Her high spirit was beginning to learn
that there are dearer pleasures in life than even the pleasure of
independence.

Pondering on these things--and also on the visit to Kingcombe Holm which
her husband had that morning decided--she walked through the well-known
squares, her eyes and her veil lowered, her light springy step
restrained into matronly dignity. Agatha had a wondrous amount of
dignity for such a little woman. Her gait, too, had in it something very
peculiar--a mixture of elasticity, decision, and pride. Her small figure
seemed to rise up airily between each footpress, as if unaccustomed to
creep. There was a trace of wildness in her motions; hers was anything
but a dainty tread or a lazy drawing-room glide; it was a bold, free,
Indian-like walk--a footstep of the wilderness.

No one who had once known her could ever mistake Agatha, be she seen
ever so far off; and as she went on her way, a gentleman, crossing
hastily from the opposite side of the square, saw her, started, and
seemed inclined to shrink from recognition. But she, attracted by his
manner, lifted up her eyes, and soon put an end to his uncertainty.
Though a good deal surprised by the suddenness of the _rencontre_, there
was no reason on earth why Mrs. Harper should not immediately go up and
speak to her husband's brother.

She did so, holding out her hand frankly.

Major Harper's response was hesitating to a painful degree. He looked,
in the common but expressive phrase, "as if he had seen