e felt the presence was no longer that of her timid
young lover, but of her husband.

Mr. Harper came in, and for the first time since that fearful minute
when she quitted him, the husband and wife were alone. Not quite so, for
he had left the door wide open--purposely, she thought. There was a full
vision of Mary playing chess with her father, and of Eulalie lounging on
the sofa, gazing now and then with idle curiosity into the little room.

It was insulting! Why, if he came to speak healing words, did he let his
whole family peer into the mysteries which ought to be strictly sacred
between the two whom marriage had made one? If only he had shut the
door! If only she could do it, and then turn and cling round his neck,
or even weep at his knees--for that frantic desire did strike her for a
moment--anything, to win from him pardon and peace!

"Agatha, are you quite at leisure?"

To dream of answering such a tone with a flood of tears! or of clinging
round a neck that lifted itself up in such a marble pride! It was
impossible.

"I am quite at leisure, Mr. Harper."

At such a crisis, and between two such characters, the fate of a
lifetime may depend upon the first word. The first word had been spoken,
and answered.

Agatha turned to the fire again, and her husband to the shadow. Either
it was fancy, or the effect of natural contact, but the one face seemed
to flame, the other to darken--suddenly, hopelessly--as when the last
glimmer of light fades out upon a wall.

"Can you speak with me for a few moments?"

"Certainly. Shall it be here?"

"I think so."

Agatha sat down; smoothed her dress, and held her folded hands tight
upon her knees, lest he should see how they were trembling.

Mr. Harper resumed. His tone was gentle, though with a certain
strangeness in it, a want of that music which runs through all
deep-toned low voices, and which in his was very peculiar.

"It appears to me--though nothing shall be done against your
decision--that, considering all things, it would be better that our stay
in my father's house were made as short as possible."

"Yes--yes." Two long pausing words, said beneath her breath.

"Accordingly I rode to Kingcombe this afternoon, and find that we can
enter the cottage on Saturday. To-day is Thursday"----

"Is it?--Oh yes. I beg your pardon. Proceed."

"If it would be agreeable and convenient to you, I think we had better
arrange matters so. I have already told my father it