in all the whirl of their misery,
still clung to hope and youth and life, so little of which way they had
trod, and so much of which lay before them. No one thought of her who
sat apart, looking smilingly on them all, but to whom they and the
things surrounding them were day by day growing more dim--who was
fading, fading, even while she smiled.

CHAPTER XX

When, late at night, the party reached Kingcombe, it was resolved that
the Harpers should remain there until morning. Agatha, worn out with
bodily fatigue and the great tension of her mind during so many hours,
laid her head down on her pillow, closed her aching eyes, and never
opened them till near upon broad noon. Then she found breakfast was long
over in the early house of the Dugdales, and that Nathanael had left her
and gone out some hours before.

"He would not let me come and wake you--he said you slept so heavily
and looked so tired. Certainly, he is the very kindest husband! Who ever
would have believed that stiff, cold disagreeable Nathanael, who came
home from America some months ago, puzzling us all, would have turned
out so well. It is your ladyship's doing, I suppose."

So ran on Mrs. Dugdale, nor noticed how beneath her words her
sister-in-law writhed, as though they had been sharp swords. Harrie was
not a penetrating woman; Agatha had already discerned that, and thought,
with a bitter smile, that it was well they were coming to live at
Kingcombe, and that Mrs. Dugdale would be a very safe and amusing
companion.

"Now, what is to be done to-day?" said she, as she ate the breakfast
which Harrie brought her, and looked round the strange bed-room, which
made her feel more bewildered than ever. So many phases, so many lives
did she seem to have passed through since she was married.

"The first thing to be done, my dear, is to take you back to Kingcombe
Holm, to do respectful to your papa-in-law. Very punctilious is the
Squire. If Nathanael had not ridden over there at some unearthly hour
this morning, he never would have forgiven your not returning at
night--the last night too, for I see your husband is determined to be
settled at the cottage this evening."

"Ah, that is well." Agatha breathed more freely. She was so glad to hide
herself under any roof that was her own. And perhaps a vague thought
crept up, that some time--not for days yet, but when she could bend her
pride to soften him--when they were living quite alone together--all
mig