ns. More than once, in talking of
the various arrangements of their new household, his voice faltered, and
the hearts of the husband and wife seemed trembling towards one another.

The conversation ended in Emma's receiving _carte-blanche_ to take the
house, if practicable, that the Harpers might settle there for three
months certain.

"Come, this is better than I expected," cried the worthy little woman.
"We shall be neighbours, and I can teach Agatha house-keeping. She
will have a nice little _menage_, and can give a proper 'At Home' and
charming wedding parties. Shall she not, Mr. Harper?"

"If she wishes."

But Agatha's whispered "No," and kind pressure of the hand, brought to
him a most blissful conviction that she did _not_ wish, and that she
would be, as she said, "happier living quietly at home." _Home_! what a
word of promise that sounded in both their ears!

When the lights came, Mr. Thornycroft woke up; with many apologies, poor
man; only, as his wife said, "Everybody knew how hard James worked, and
how tired he was at night." The two gentlemen fraternised once more.
They began one of those general arguments on the history of the times,
which when spoken, are intensely interesting, and being written as
intensely prosy. The ladies listened in a most wife-like and pleased
submission.

"How well my husband talks--doesn't he?" whispered Emma, with sparkling
eyes.

Agatha agreed, and indeed Mr. Thornycroft's strong sense and acute
judgment were patent to every one. But when Mr. Harper spoke, his
clear views on every point, his trenchant but pleasant wit, by which
he rounded off the angularities of argument, and above all his keen,
far-seeing intellect, which dived into wondrous depths of knowledge, and
invariably brought something precious to light--these things were to the
young wife a positive revelation.

She sat attentive, beginning to learn, what strange to say was no
pain--her own ignorance, and her husband's superior wisdom. She had
never before felt at once so humble and so proud.

When the Thornycrofts departed, and Mr. Harper returned up-stairs from
bidding them good-bye, he found his wife in a thoughtful mood.

"Well, dear, have you had a pleasant evening? Are you content with our
plans?"

"Yes--indeed, more so than I deserve. Oh, how good you are!" she
whispered; and her shortcomings towards him grew into a great burden of
regret.

"Hush!" he answered, smiling; "we will not begin discus