g," Miss Valery replied hastily--"I was saying how like
Nathanael looked just then to his Uncle Brian."

"Did he indeed? Was that all you were speaking of?"

"Not quite all; but I find your husband knows the story; he will tell
you, _as he ought_," added Anne pointedly.

"Surely I will, one day," said Nathanael. "But in this case, as in many
others, where there has been misfortune or wrong, I consider the best,
wisest, most charitable course is not to spread it abroad until the
wrong has had a chance of being remedied. Do you not think so, Anne?"

"Yes," she answered, her eyes fixed upon the resolute young face
that seemed compelling her to silence almost against her will. It was
marvellous to see the influence Nathanael had, even over Anne Valery.

"And now," continued Mr. Harper, "while I am alone with you and my
wife"--here he drew Agatha within the circle of talk, and made her lean
against his knee, his arm shielding her from the wind--"I wanted to
talk with you, Anne, about some plans I have."

"Say on."

"I have given up--as Agatha wrote you word--all idea of our settling at
Montreal. It is necessary that I should at once find some employment in
England."

"Not yet--not just yet," said his wife.

"I must, dear. It is right--it is necessary. Anne herself would say so."

Miss Valery assented, much to Agatha's surprise.

"The only question then is--what can I do? Nothing in the
professions--for I have acquired none; nothing in literature--for I
am not a genius; but anything in the clear, straightforward,
man-of-business line--Uncle Brian used to accuse me of being so very
practical.--Anne," he added, smiling, "I wish, instead of having to puff
off myself thus, Uncle Brian were here to advertise my qualifications."

"Qualifications for what?" inquired Agatha, Miss Valery being silent

"For obtaining from my friend here what I would at once have applied for
to any stranger; poor Wilson's vacant post as her overseer, land-agent,
steward, or whatever the name may be."

"Steward!" cried Mrs. Harper. "Surely you would never dream of being a
steward?"

"Why not? Because I am unworthy of the situation, or--as I fear my proud
little wife thinks--because the situation is not worthy of me? Nay, a
man never loses honour by earning his bread in honourable fashion;
and Miss Valery herself said that for this office she required both a
gentleman and a friend. Will she accept me?"

And he extended, proudly as his f