merely to go through
a necessary form; Harriet Dugdale and her husband, Eulalie and her
_fiance_, and the solitary Mary. Major Harper alone was rather restless,
especially when the three others came in from the study. It was
noticeable that, with all his smooth manner, Frederick never seemed
quite at ease in the presence of Miss Valery. Nevertheless he tried, and
successfully, to assume his position as elder brother and present head
of the family. He gave Anne a gracious welcome.

"I scarcely expected you would have honoured us so far. This is entirely
a family meeting."

"Shall I leave?"

"Oh, no," cried everybody at once, "Anne is so thoroughly one of the
family."

"Certainly," responded Major Harper, bowing though his brows were knit.
He waited till Anne took her seat, and then sat down, silent. Many
changes, vivid, and various, passed over his flexible mouth. At last,
leaning forward, he hid it with his hand. There was a brief hush in
the men, of solemnity--in the women, of mourning. More than one tear
splashed on the black dress of the tender-hearted Mary.

Nathanael stood--the will in his hand--hesitating.

"It seems to me, that as this is a family meeting, we might--not
necessarily, but still out of kindness and respect--postpone it for a
few days, that the only remaining member of the family may be present."

"Who is that?" said the elder brother.

"Uncle Brian."

One or two voices, especially the Dugdales, seconded this, and eagerly
proposed to wait for Uncle Brian.

"Impossible!" Major Harper said, hastily. "I have engagements. I cannot
wait for any one."

"But"--

"Nathanael--don't argue. Remember, I am the elder brother. Give me my
father's will." Nathanael paused a moment, and gave it. "The seal has
been broken and re-fastened," Frederick added, breaking it with rather
nervous hands. He tried to glance over it, but his eyes wandered
unsteadily. "There, take it and read. I hate business."

And he threw himself back in his seat, which happened to be the old
Squire's especial chair. Agatha thought it was thoughtless of him to use
it.

Nathanael read the will aloud. It was dated ten years back, and was in
the Squire's own hand, drawn up simply, but with perfect clearness. The
division of fortune was as they all expected: a moderate funded sum to
each of the daughters and to Nathanael; the estate, with all real and
personal property, to go to the eldest son. There were a few small
bequests t