On the morning--her first morning at Kingcombe Holm--Mrs. Harper woke refreshed to a bright day. All the terraced outline of the hills was pencilled distinctly against the bluest of blue skies, which hung like a tent over the shut-up valley. She stood at the window looking at it, while Mary Harper made the breakfast and Eulalie curiously examined Agatha's dress, supposed to be the latest bridal fashion from London. Nathanael sat writing letters until breakfast was ready, and then took his father's place at the foot of the table. “Elizabeth bade me ask you,” said Mary, addressing him, “if you had any letters this morning from Frederick? You know she likes to look at all family letters--they amuse her. Shall I take this one?” Nathanael put his hand upon a heap, among which was plainly distinguishable Major Harper's writing. “No, Mary--not now. If necessary, I will read part of it to Elizabeth myself.” Agatha, who had before vainly asked the same question, was annoyed by her husband's reserve. His silence in all his affairs, especially those relating to his brother, was impenetrable. But this was rousing in her, day by day, a strong spirit of opposition. Had not the presence of his sisters restrained her, for her external wifely pride grew as much as her inward antagonism--she would have again boldly put forward her claim to read the letter. As it was, she had self-control enough to sit silent, but her mouth assumed that peculiar expression which at times revealed a few little mysteries of her nature--showing that beneath the quietude and simplicity of the girl lay the strong, desperate will of a resolute woman. After breakfast, when Mr. Harper, with some slight apology, had gone to his letters again, she rose, intending to stroll about and explore the lawn. She had never been used to ask any one's permission for her out-goings and in-comings, so was departing quite naturally, when Mary stopped her. “I hope you will not mind it, but we always stay in the house until my father comes down-stairs. He likes to see us before he begins the day.” Agatha submitted--with a good grace, of course; though she thought the rule absolute was painfully prevalent in the Harper family. But as half-an-hour went by, and the morning air, so fresh and cool, tempted her sorely, she tried to set aside this formal domestic regulation. Mary looked quite frightened at her overt rebellion.--“My dear Mrs. Harper--indeed we never do it. Do we, Nathanael?” said she, appealingly. He listened to the discussion a moment.--“My dear wife, since my father would not like it, you will not go, I know.” The tone was gentle, but Agatha would as soon have thought of overleaping a stone wall as of opposing a desire thus expressed. She sat quietly down again--or would have done so, but that she saw Eulalie smile meaningly at her sister. Intercepting the young wife, the smile changed into affected condolence.