Agatha recollected this same
letter.

"It may give me something to think about, which will be well," sighed
she; and carelessly pushing her hair behind her ears, she drew the
candle nearer, and began leisurely to read.

[Illustration: She began leisurely to read p036]

The commencement was slightly abrupt:

"A month ago--had any one told me I should write this letter, I
could not have believed it possible. But strange things happen in our
lives--things over which we seem to have no control; we are swept on by
an impulse and a power which most often guide us for our good. I hope it
may be so now.

"I came to England with no intention save that of seeing my family, and
no affection in my heart stronger than for them. Living the solitary
life that Uncle Brian leads, I have met with few women, and have never
loved any woman--until now.

"You may think me a 'boy;' indeed, I overheard you say so once; but I am
a man--with a heart full of all a man's emotions, passionate and strong.
Into that heart I took _you_, from the first moment I ever saw your
face. This is just three weeks ago, but it might have been three
years--I know you so well. I have watched you continually; every trait
of your character--every thought of your mind. From other people I have
found out every portion of your history--every daily action of your
life. I know you wholly and completely, faults and all, and--I love you.
No man will ever love you more than I.

"That you should have the least interest in me now, is, I am aware,
unlikely; indeed, almost impossible; therefore I shall not expect
or desire any answer to this letter, sent just before I leave for
Dorsetshire.

"On my return, a week hence, I shall come and see you, should you not
forbid it. I shall come merely as a _friend_, so that you need have no
scruple in my visiting you, once at least. If afterwards, when you know
me better, you should suffer me to ask for another title, giving to you
the dearest and closest that man can give to woman--then--oh! little you
think how I would love you, Agatha!

"Nathanael Locke Harper."

Agatha read this letter all through with a kind of fascination. Her
first emotion was that of most utter astonishment. It had never crossed
her mind that Nathanael Harper was the sort of being very likely to fall
in love with anybody--and for him to love her! With such a love, too,
that despite its suddenness carried with it the impression of quiet
depth, st