ent some time talking over the late
baronet and his son. He told me something I had not heard from
Coralie--that there had been some slight misunderstanding between father
and son. He asked me if I would join the ladies, who were in the
drawing-room. I was only too pleased.

"Lady Thesiger was Sir Barnard's confidant. He consulted her about
everything--indeed, we were such near and dear friends that you must
forgive me if I cannot look upon you as a stranger."

Entering a very pretty drawing-room, long low and old-fashioned, I saw
two ladies, one a matron, the other a lovely young girl. Sir John
introduced me to his wife and then to Agatha, his daughter.

Looking up, I saw my fate. Never believe those cold-natured,
cold-hearted people who tell you that love grows from respect. It does
not. It comes into existence all at once--suddenly, as a flower is
kissed into color by the sun. When I entered Harden Manor, I was
heart-whole, fancy-free, loving no one but Clare; after one upward look
in Agatha Thesiger's face, I loved her with a love that was my doom.

Sir John looked at me in amazement.

"I--I did not know you had a daughter, Sir John."

"Ah! but I have, and a very precious one, too. Poor Sir Barnard was very
fond of Agatha; he used to call her his sunbeam. I was almost jealous of
him at times."

"There was no need, papa," said a sweet voice, the very sound of which
made me tremble.

Why had mademoiselle never mentioned this young girl, so fair, so
lovely? Why had she told me nothing about her? I should like to describe
her, reader, so as to make you love her. She was tall, very little above
the medium height, slender, graceful, with a delicate, arched neck and
the "fairest face the sun e'er shone on." Not beautiful--that word would
not describe her; fair, sweet and lovely. She had no brilliant or vivid
coloring; her complexion was clear, with the faintest rose-bloom; her
eyes large and blue, her lips sweet and sensitive; a white brow and a
wealth of soft, brown hair. She was no queenly beauty; she had not
Coralie's brilliancy and bright coloring, but she was the fairest and
most lovable girl who ever made a man's heart glad.

I did not know how the next few minutes passed. Sir John and Lady
Thesiger were talking about the neighborhood, and I was thinking that if
Agatha bid me lie down there at her feet and die for her sweet sake, I
should do so with a smile.

When I came to my senses, Lady Thesiger was as