m, he never saw reason to
suspect her of disingenuousness. At times she might appear to excite
herself unduly, to fall into excess of zeal; it meant, no doubt, that
the imaginative fervour she had been wont to expend on music was turned
in a new quarter. Alma remained herself--impulsive, ardent,
enthusiastic, whether yearning for public triumphs, or eager to lead a
revolution in domestic life. Her health manifestly improved; languor
was unknown to her; her cheeks had a warmer hue, a delicate carnation,
subtly answering to her thoughts.

She abhorred sentimentality. This was one of her first intimate
declarations, and Harvey bore it in mind. He might praise, glorify,
extol her to the uttermost, and be rewarded by her sweetest smiles; but
for the pretty follies of amatory transport she had no taste. Harvey
ran small risk of erring in this direction; he admired and reverenced
her maidenly aloofness; her dignity he found an unfailing charm, the
great support of his own self-respect. A caress was not at all times
forbidden, but he asserted the privilege with trembling diffidence. It
pleased her, when he entered the room, to be stately and rather distant
of manner, to greet him as though they were still on formal terms; this
troubled Harvey at first, but he came to understand and like it. In Mrs
Frothingham's presence, Alma avoided every sign of familiarity, and
talked only of indifferent things.

Early in November there came news that a certain family in the little
Welsh town would be glad to vacate their dwelling if a tenant could at
once be found for it. The same day Harvey travelled northwards, and on
the morrow he despatched a telegram to Alma. He had taken the house,
and could have possession in a week or two. Speedily followed a letter
of description. The house was stone-built and substantial, but very
plain; it stood alone and unsheltered by the roadside, a quarter of a
mile from the town, looking seaward; it had garden ground and primitive
stabling. The rooms numbered nine, exclusive of kitchen; small, but not
diminutive. The people were very friendly (Harvey wrote), and gave him
all aid in investigating the place, with a view to repairs and so on;
by remaining for a few days he would be able to consult with a builder,
so as to have necessary work set in train as soon as the present
occupants were gone.

Alma's engagement had been kept strictly secret. When Harvey returned
after a week of activity, he found her st