“Sit down, and let us consider,” said she, laying her hand on his, with a force soft yet steady as that of her words. Agatha was gliding out of the room, but her lover's quick movement and Miss Valery's look stopped her. “Do not go, Miss Bowen; you are not so unknown to me as I am to you. I had much rather you stayed.” So she took up her position a little distance off, and listened while the two friends consulted; pondering the while on what a rare kind of man Mr. Brian Harper must be to win such regard. “You say the news came accidentally?” Mr. Harper observed. “It may not be true, then.” “It is. I had it confirmed to-day.” “How?” “I went to the Colonial Office myself.” (“Kind Anne Valery!” murmured the young man.) “It was best to do so before I told you anything. You, knowing the whole facts, would then decide more readily.” “You are right and wise as ever. Now, tell me exactly what you heard.” “While a treaty was going forward for the Government purchase of Indian lands, there arose a quarrel, and two red men were upon slight grounds punished cruelly. Then the whole tribe went off in the night, carrying as prisoners two Englishmen--one by force. The other is believed to have offered himself willingly as a hostage, until the reparation of what he considered an injustice shown by his countrymen to the Indians. You may guess who he was.” “Uncle Brian, of course,” cried Nathanael, pacing the room. “Just like him! He would do the maddest things for the sake of honour.” Anne Valery's eyes flashed in the dark a momentary brightness, as if they were growing young again. “But his life is surely safe: all over the Indian country they respect the very name of Brian Harper. No harm can touch him--it is quite impossible!” “I think so too.” And Miss Valery drew a long breath. “Still, such danger is very terrible--is it not?” And she turned slightly, to include Agatha in their conversation. “Oh, terrible!” the girl cried, deeply interested. “But could he not be sought for--rescued? Could not a party be despatched after him? If I were a man I would head one immediately.” Miss Valery, faintly smiling, patted Agatha's hand. It was easy to see that this good heart opened itself at once to Nathanael's young betrothed. “That is what I had in my own mind, and should have spoken of to his nephew here--a party of search which the Canadian Government, if urged, would no doubt consent to. Nathanael could propose it--plan it. He is both ingenious and wise.” “Ah, he is; he seems to know everything!” cried Agatha warmly. “Surely, Mr. Harper, you could think of something--do something?” “I could,” said the nephew, slowly waking from a long interval of thought. “I could do--what perhaps I ought, and will--for him who has been more than a father to me.” “What is that?” Agatha asked, while Miss Valery regarded him silently.