and looked at the Major with glistening eyes. "O!" she cried, "I am
come overflowing with gratitude to you all for my dear brother's sake.
I owe you his life--but for you he--he would be----" Her deep bosom
swelled and she bowed her head. "Charles is very--very dear to me
and--you saved him to me. O pray, John, may I see Mrs. Agatha?"

Here, at a sign from the Major, Sergeant Zebedee strode from the room
shutting the door carefully behind him: and as it closed they were in
each other's arms.

"Jack!" she murmured. "My noble John!"

"Nay, beloved," he sighed, "dream not 'twas I. Sergeant Zebedee found
him and but for Mrs. Agatha----"

"O my scrupulous man, art afraid lest I do think too well of thee? Art
frighted lest I give thee more gratitude than thy just due? Indeed but
Charles hath told me all and I do know 'twas these arms bore him 'neath
thy roof, 'twas thy brave heart sheltered him and was ready to face
ignominy with him. But indeed if you have no--no will to--kiss me----"
The Major kissed her until she sued for mercy. Thereafter, throned in
his great chair, she surveyed the bare chamber with gentle eyes: "'Tis
a great house, John," she nodded, "and this, a barren corner--and yet,
meseemeth, 'tis not so--so outrageously desolate as it was."

"My Betty," he answered, "I do but live for the time when it shall be
brightened by thy sweet presence, its floors know the light tread of
these dear feet, its walls the music of thy voice and---thy love make
it 'home' for me at last."

"'Deed John but you do grow poetical--though perchance thy style might
not please Sir Benjamin or Sir Jasper or--O John how I have laughed and
laughed----"

Here came a gentle rapping on the door and being bidden enter, Mrs.
Agatha appeared demure and smiling, dropped a curtsey to the Major,
another to my lady and then she was caught in gentle embrace and kissed.

"Why Mrs. Agatha!" exclaimed my lady, "dear Mrs. Agatha, how pretty you
are! 'Tis seldom wit and beauty go together! Thank you, my dear, for
a brother's life. For service so great there are no words--nought to
repay. But take this and wear it in memory of a sister's gratitude!"
And speaking, my lady took a necklet from her own white throat and
clasped it about Mrs. Agatha's neck. "But for you," she sighed, "but
for you I should have lost my only brother and--" my lady faltered,
then, meeting Mrs. Agatha's gentle glance, threw up proud head, "and
one I love--