ards build schools
and cottages, and do oceans of good. Oh! how glad I am I was born an
heiress!"

She rose, her eyes brightening; her little figure dilated; she had never
looked so lovely--so loveable. And yet the husband sat as it were stone
blind and dumb.

"You cannot have any objection to this, I know," Agatha went on. "It is
not like giving money openly away--making a show of charity. Nobody need
know but that we do it on our own account--just to increase our riches;"
and she laughed merrily at the idea. "Think now--how much money would it
take?"

"I cannot tell."

"A great deal, probably, since you look so serious over it," said the
wife, a little vexed. "Perhaps my plan is foolish in some things; but I
think it is right, and I am very firm--firmer than you imagine--when
I feel I am in the right. Surely, living so cheaply in that tiny
house--and we will live cheaper still if you choose--we shall have
plenty to spare. We must do this. Say that we shall."

Her husband was silent.

Gradually the blush of enthusiasm deepened into that of annoyance--real
anger. "Mr. Harper, I wait until you answer me."

As she turned away, Nathanael looked after her. Such a flood of
tenderness, reverence, sorrow, passion, rarely swept over a human face.

Then he rose, paced up the room in his usual fashion, and down again;
pausing once at the window (a strange thing for him to notice just then)
to let out a brown bee that, having come in for shelter from the rain,
wanted to go out again with the sunshine. At last he came to Agatha's
side.

"My dear wife, it grieves me to pain you by a refusal--grieves me more
than you can tell; but the plan you propose is utterly impracticable."

"Indeed!" Her colour flashed, darkened of a stormy red, and paled. She
was exercising very great self-restraint.

"I will ask less," she resumed, bitterly. "I had forgotten the extreme
prudence of your character. Give me just what _you_ think is sufficient
for charity." And her lip tried not to curl--her heart tried not to
despise her husband.

Nathanael gave no answer.

"Mr. Harper, three--four times lately you have denied me what I asked.
Thrice it was merely my own pleasure--which I relinquished. This time it
is a matter of principle, and I will not yield. Will you--since I have
made you master of my fortune--will you allow me enough out of it for
my own slight gratification? That at least is but justice."

"Justice!" echoed Nathanael, h