s with him,' said Gwen impatiently, when Agatha came to her in the
study, and wondered if she should go up and try to comfort her. 'I
often marvel at Hugh's infatuation for her. I don't believe she knows
what real love is. She is so taken up with her own feelings and moods,
that she has no time for his, and I think he is far too good for her.
If she is so discontented before marriage, what will she be afterwards?
He will have a miserable time of it, I am afraid!'

'You are too hard upon her! I daresay his absence will prove to her
how truly she loves him, for I am quite sure she does.'

'I have no patience with her!' said Gwen shortly; and then she buried
herself in her book again, whilst Agatha went away and shed some tears
herself over Captain Knox's departure.

CHAPTER VII

Unrest

'Thou hast made us for Thyself,
And our hearts are restless
till they rest in Thee.--_St. Augustine._

Some weeks passed. The girls were perfectly satisfied with their quiet
country life. Elfie brightened the whole house with her music and high
spirits. Agatha soon found her way to the nearest cottages, and was
friends with all the farm labourers who passed by the house, and Gwen
tried to manage everything and everybody. Clare shook off her low
spirits, but was uncertain-tempered, and would never settle at any
occupation for long at a time. Still, she delighted in the country
round, and would return from her rambles with her arms full of Nature's
treasures, making the little house beautiful with her lovely flowers
and greenery.

Miss Miller fussed in and out, and was very glad of Agatha's help in
parish matters; even unbending so far as to give Elfie permission to
play on the organ in church, which, of course, delighted her. Agatha
was informed that she could visit as freely as she liked, but that no
relief was to be given, except through the vicarage.

'I look after everybody myself. I know the deserving and the
undeserving, and they know me! I won't have anything given to my
parishioners without my knowledge. My brother leaves it all in my
hands.'

One afternoon Miss Villars called, and found only Clare at home. She
was a sweet-looking, attractive woman, and Clare, with her usual
impulsiveness, lost her heart to her at once. She confided to her the
history of her engagement, and parting with Captain Knox; and the visit
lengthened into nearly an hour before Miss Villars took her leave.

Cla