me into the house this tint gradually faded, leaving her scarcely even
so healthy-looking as she had appeared a month ago--the last time they
had seen her. But her talk was full of cheerfulness.

"I am come to stay the whole day with you, by your father's desire--and
my own. May I, Mary?"

"Oh, yes! We shall be so glad, especially Elizabeth, who was wondering
and longing after you."

"I have not been well. London never suits me," said Anne carelessly.
"But come, now I am about again, let me see what is to be done to-day.
In the first place, I must have a long talk with Elizabeth. Is she risen
yet, Eulalie?"

Eulalie did not know; but Mary added, that she feared this was one of
Elizabeth's "hard days," when she could not talk much to any one till
evening.

Anne continued, after a pause--"I want to drive over to Kingcombe about
some business. I have had so much on my hands since poor Mr. Wilson's
death."

"Anne's steward," whispered the Beauty importantly to her sister-in-law.
"You know that half Kingcombe belongs to Anne Valery?" And Agatha
noticed, with some amusement, what an extreme deference was infused into
the usually nonchalant, contemptuous manner of the youngest Miss Harper.

"So poor Wilson is dead! And who have you to manage all your property?"
asked Mr. Harper suddenly.

"No one at present I am very particular in my choice. As I am only a
woman, my steward has necessarily considerable influence. I would
wish him always to be what Mr. Wilson was: if possible a friend, but
undoubtedly a gentleman."

As Miss Valery spoke, Nathanael listened in deep thought; then, meeting
her eyes, he coloured slightly, but quickly recovering himself, said, in
a low tone, "Some time to-day, Anne, I would like to have a little talk
with you."

She assented with an inquiring look. But she seemed to understand
Nathanael well enough to content herself with that look, asking no
further questions.

"And, for the third important business which should be done to-day,
and perhaps the sooner the better, I must certainly take Agatha up Holm
Hill, and show her the view of the Channel."

Agatha drew back from the window. "Ah, not the sea!--I cannot bear the
sea." Anne Valery watched her with peculiar earnestness.

"Were you ever on the sea, my dear?"

"Once, long ago."

"Nay, I must teach you to admire our magnificent coast. On with your
bonnet, and come along that great hill-terrace--do you see it?--with
Nathanael and me