rk the
military gentleman without degrading him into the puppy; Major
Harper with his habitual good-natured smile and faultless bearing, so
gracefully welcomed, so gaily familiar in London drawing-rooms.--But
here?--

He paused at the door, glanced hastily round the old familiar room, with
the known pictures hanging on the walls, and the windows opening on the
straight alley of arbutus-trees. His smile grew rather meaningless--he
hesitated.

"Will you come to this chair near me? I am very glad to see you, Major
Harper."

"Thank you, Miss Valery."

He crossed the room to her sofa, Nathanael making way for him. He
just acknowledged his brother's presence and Agatha's, then took Miss
Valery's extended hand, bowing over it with an attempt at his former
grace.

"I hope I find your health quite re-established? This change to your
own pleasant house--pleasant as ever, I see"--he once more glanced round
it--paused--then altogether broke down. "It seems but a day since we
were children, Anne," he said, in a faltering voice.

Agatha and her husband moved away. They respected the one real feeling
which had outlasted all his sentimentalism. For several minutes they
stood at the far window apart. When Anne called them back, Major Harper
had recovered himself, and was sitting by her.

"Nathanael, our old friend here says you wished to speak with me?"

"I did."

"Make haste, then, for I am going to London to-night I have made up my
mind. I cannot settle here in Dorsetshire."

"Not if it were your father's wish--his last longing desire?"

"Anne, for God's sake don't speak of my father." He leant his elbow on
the table and covered his eyes.

Nathanael and Agatha exchanged looks, then both smiled--the happy smile
of a clear conscience and a heart at rest. "Tell him now," whispered the
wife to her husband.

"Brother!"

Major Harper lifted up his head.

"My elder brother!" And Nathanael offered the hand of peace, which, in
spite of all outward and necessary association, neither had offered or
grasped since Frederick's return to Dorset.

"What do you mean?"

"I mean that you are my elder brother--my father's favourite always. If
he had lingered but another day he would doubtless have proved that, and
have done--what I intend to do, just as if he had himself accomplished
it. Do you understand me?"

"No!" And Major Harper looked thoroughly amazed.

"Do you see this? which you, either from forgetfulness, or trust in