Agatha turned away, saying bitterly; “Your wife ought to thank you! She was not aware until now how wondrously well you loved your brother.” There was a heavy silence, and then Mr. Harper said, in a hoarse voice, “Did you ever hear the story of a man who plunged into a river to save the life of an enemy, and when asked why he did it, answered, 'It was because he _was_ an enemy?” “I do not understand you,” cried Agatha. “No”--her husband returned, hastily--“better not. A foolish, meaningless story. What were we talking about?” He--when her heart was bursting with vexation and wounded feeling--he pretended to treat all so lightly that he did not even remember what they were saying! It was more than Agatha could endure. Had he been irritated like herself--had he shown annoyance, pain--had they even come to a positive quarrel--for love will sometimes quarrel, and take comfort therein--it would have been less trying to a girl of her temperament. But that grave superior calm of unvarying kindness--her poor angry spirit beat against it like waves against a shining rock. “We were talking of what, had I considered the matter a month ago, I might possibly have saved myself the necessity of discussing or practising--a wife's blind obedience to her husband.” “Agatha!” “When I married,” she recklessly pursued, “I did not think what I was doing. It is hard enough blindly to obey even those whom one has known long--trusted long--loved long--but you”-- “I understand. Hush! there needs not another word.” Agatha began to hesitate. She had only wished to make him feel--to shake him from that rigid quietude which to her was so trying. She had not intended to wound him so. “Are you angry with me?” she asked at length. “No, not angry. No reproaches of yours can be more bitter than my own.” She was just about to ask him what he meant--nay, she even considered whether her woman's pride might not stoop to draw aside the tight-pressed hands, entreating him to look up and forgive her and love her, when in burst Mrs. Thornycroft. “Oh--so glad to catch you--have not a minute to spare, for James is waiting. Where is your husband?” Mr. Harper had risen, and stood in the shadow, where his face was not easily visible. Agatha wondered to see him so erect and calm, while her own cheeks were burning, and every word she tried to utter she had to gulp down a burst of tears. “Mr. Harper, it was you I wanted--to ask your decision about the house. A mere formality. But I thought I would just call as we went to grandmamma's, and then I can settle everything for you to-morrow morning.” “You are very kind, but”-- “Oh, perhaps you would rather see the house yourself! Quite right. Of course you will take it!” “I fear not.” Agatha, as well as Mrs. Thornycroft, was so utterly astonished, that neither of them could make any observation. To give up the house, and all her dear home-visions! She was aghast at the idea.