is feelings. She was relieved when,
taking little notice of herself, he fell into conversation with Mr.
Thornycroft--a serious discussion on political and general topics. Once
or twice, glancing at him, and noticing how well he talked, and how
manly and self-possessed he looked, Agatha began to feel proud of her
betrothed. She could not have endured a lover who--in not unfrequent
lover-like fashion--"made a fool of himself" on her account.

While the two gentlemen still talked, Miss Bowen stood secretly
listening, but apparently watching the rich twilight that coloured the
long sweep of the Regent's Park trees--a pretty sight, even though in
the land of Cockayne.

"There's a carriage at our door!" screamed Missy from the balcony,
receiving a hurried maternal reproof for ill-behaviour. Mrs. Thornycroft
wondered who the inopportune visitor could be.

It was a lady, who gave no name, but wished to know if Mr. Locke Harper
were there, and if so, would he come to the carriage and speak to her a
moment?

Nathanael did so, looking not less surprised than the rest of the party.
After five minutes had elapsed, he was still absent from the room.

"Very odd!" observed Emma, half in jest, half earnest; "I should inquire
into the matter if I were you. Let me see--I fancy the carriage is still
at the door. It would be rude to peep, you know, but we can inquire of
the maid."

"No," said Agatha, gently removing Mrs. Thornycrofts hand from the
bell; "Mr. Harper will doubtless tell me all that is necessary. He is
perfectly able to conduct his own affairs."

It was speech implying more indifference than she really felt, for this
mysterious interview did not quite please her. She tried vainly to go on
talking with Mrs. Thornycroft, and actually started when she heard the
carriage drive off, and Nathanael come up-stairs.

His countenance was a good deal troubled, but he did not give the
slightest explanation--not even when Mrs. Thornycroft joked him about
his supposed "business."

"With a lady, too! Not, I hope, a young lady?"

"What did you say?" he asked, absently, his eyes fixed afar off on
Agatha.

"I hope your visitor in the carriage was not a young lady?"

"No." The answer was in a tone that put an end to any more jesting.

Nathanael sat down, and tried to take up the thread of politics just
dropped with Mr. Thornycroft, but only for a few minutes. Then, stealing
round by Miss Bowen's side, he whispered:

"I want to