fe, Nathanael. There you go--a very
handsome, interesting young couple. Nay, don't cheat the townsfolk by
taking the garden way."

"Do, pray?" entreated Agatha of her husband. "Don't let the people see
us."

"You foolish child!" cried Harrie, as she made herself invisible through
the front-door, throwing back her last words as an unconscious parting
sting. "Folks will think you are ashamed of your husband."

Agatha took no notice, nor did Nathanael. Silently they walked to
church, the garden way, which led them out opposite the eastern door.
Entering with his wife on his arm, his bare head erect, though the eyes
were lowered, his whole face still and steadfast, but looking much
older since his marriage.--Mr. Harper was a man of whom no one need
be ashamed. His wife glanced at him, and, in spite of all her sorrow,
walked proudly up the aisle--prouder far than on her wedding-day. She
never thought of herself or of the people looking at her. And--Heaven
forgive her, poor child!--for the moment she never thought of Whose
temple she was entering, until the clergyman's serious voice arose,
proclaiming those "sacrifices" which are "a broken spirit." Then her
spirit sank down broken within her, and under her thick white veil, and
upon her white velvet bridal Prayer-book, fell tears, many and bitter.
The poorest charity-girl that stared at her from the gallery would not
that day have envied the bride.

Service over, out of the church they went as they had come, arm-in-arm;
the congregation holding back; all watching, but from some mysterious
etiquette which must be left to the Kingcombeites to elucidate, no one
venturing to speak to Mr. and Mrs. Locke Harper. The Squire's household
did not attend this church, nor the Dugdales either; so that the young
people walked home without speaking to a soul, and scarcely to each
other. They were both very grave. A word, perhaps, from either would
have unlocked a heart flood; but the word was not spoken. They met at
the gate of the cottage Mrs. Dugdale and her boys. Soon all the solemn
influences of the temple passed away. They were in the world once
more--the hard, bitter, erring world.

"We are come in to see Auntie Agatha and Uncle Nathanael," said Harrie,
as the children stood rather awe-struck by Mrs. Harper's dazzling
appearance. "And we are going to take both back with us for dinner, as
you promised. Early country dinner, my dear, which can't by any means be
eaten in those fine