hanael paused; Anne's reasoning was from facts unknown to him; but he
saw the agony in her face. She continued in a whisper:

"Be slow to judge him, if only for his sisters' sakes--his dead
mother's--the honour of the family."

"I have thought only too much of all these things."

"Then, for his father's sake--his father, who is going away to the
other world leaving a son unforgiven. Beware how you not only take your
brother's birthright, but seal your brother's curse."

"God forbid. Oh, Anne--Anne!"

He pressed his hand over his eyes, and leaned back a moment--leaning,
though he did not know it, against his wife, who had stolen behind his
chair. No one else came near; they all shrank from their brother as if
he were suddenly gone mad. Looking up, he saw only Miss Valery.

"Forgive me, Anne; I cannot control myself as I used to do: I have been
very ill lately, but don't tell my wife."

Anne took no notice; perhaps she wished the wife should learn the
husband's real heart as she--his old friend--knew it.

"Don't think I would harm Frederick. Not for worlds. Do you know," and
his voice lowered, "I dare not trust myself even to be just over his
misdeeds, lest I should be slaying my enemy."

"Your enemy? It is too hard a word."

"No! it is true." He glanced round, perceiving no one near but Miss
Valery. "Anne," he whispered, "do you remember the parable of Nathan?
Why did he do it--the cruel rich man who had enjoyed so much all his
life? Why did he steal my one little ewe-lamb?"

"Stay!" cried Anne, with a sudden suspicion waking in her. "I don't
clearly understand. Tell me again."

"No, no," he said recovering himself. "I have nothing to tell--But we
are wasting time. Anne, it shall be as you say." And he drew a long hard
breath. "Which of us had best write to my brother?"

Rising, he found out who had been behind him. He looked horrified.

"Agatha!--did you overhear me?"

The suspicion wounded her to the core. Her pride and sense of justice
were alike roused.

"Have no fear, Mr. Harper," said she; "I shall not betray your secrets.
I do not even comprehend them; except that I think it very wicked for
brothers to be such enemies."

He made no answer.

"And," continued Agatha, growing bolder, as she was prone to do on the
side of the mysteriously wronged, "I would have sent for Major Harper
myself, had not your father seemed unwilling. But the eldest son ought
to be here."

"He shall be--your husband w