thers up to
the Commonwealth. But Mrs. Ianson's curiosity penetrated even to the
Harpers of Queen Victoria's day.

"Indeed we can't let you two gentlemen away so early. If you have family
matters to talk over, suppose we send you for half-an-hour to Miss
Bowen's drawing-room! or, if they are not secrets, pray discuss them
here. I am sure we are all greatly interested; are we not, Miss Bowen?"

Agatha made some unintelligible answer. She thought Nathanael's quick
eyes darted from her to Mrs. lanson and back again, as if to judge
whether, young-lady-like, she had told his secret to all her female
friends. But there was something in Agatha's countenance which marked
her out as that rare character, a woman who can hold her tongue--even in
a love affair.

After a minute she looked at Mr. Harper gravely, kindly, as if to say,
"You need not fear--I have not betrayed you;" and meeting her candid
eyes, his suspicions vanished. He drew nearer to the circle, and began
to talk.

"Mrs. lanson is very kind, but we need not hold any such solemn
conclave, Frederick," said he, smiling. "All the news that I did not
unfold in my letter of yesterday, I can tell you now. I would like every
one here to be interested in our good sisters and in all at home."

"Yes--oh, yes," responded the other, mechanically. "Any messages for
me?"

"My father says he hopes to see you this autumn at Kingcombe. He is
growing an old man now."

"Ah, indeed!--An admirable man is my father, Miss Bowen. Quite a
gentleman of the old school; but peculiar--rather peculiar. Well, what
else, Nathanael?"

"Elizabeth, since Emily's death, seems to have longed after you very
much.--You were the next eldest, you know, and she fancies you were
always very like Emily. She says it is so long since you have been to
Kingcombe."

"It is such a dull place. Besides I have seen them all elsewhere
occasionally."

"All but Elizabeth; and, you know, unless you go to Kingcombe, you never
can see Elizabeth," said the younger brother, gently.

"That is true!--Poor dear soul!" Frederick answered, looking grave.
"Well, I will go ere long."

"Perhaps at Eulalie's wedding, which I told you of?"

"True--true. Eulalie is the youngest Miss Harper, as we should explain
to our kind friends here--whom I hope we are not boring very much with
our family reminiscences. And Eulalie, contrary to the usual custom of
the Harpers, is actually going to be married. To a clergyman, is he not,