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Updated: June 13, 2025
"There, that will do," said Miss Valery. "Never mind old times, but let us look forward to the future. Here we are at Kingcombe. Agatha, how do you like the place?" And Agatha, on this glowing autumn afternoon, eagerly examined her future home. It was a rather noteworthy country town; small, clean, with an air of sober preservation, reminding one of a well-kept, dignified, healthy old age.
They seemed to know all about her from Anne Valery doubtless and to be delighted at Nathanael's choice. There was a kind but formal missive from the old father, implying his dignified satisfaction that at last one of his sons would marry to keep up the family name.
This letter, which was trying to read, being sharp and stinging on many points to more than one person present, Nathanael went steadily through, though several times his colour changed. No one made any comment except Agatha, who observed "that Uncle Brian must be rather bitter and sarcastic at heart." "No not bitter," Anne Valery said, "only sorrowful.
She opened another, in a careless and very illegible hand, which she could not recognise at all: "My dear Brother, "The approaching marriage in your family, of which you inform me, unfortunately cannot alter my plans. I must recover my lost fortunes abroad. "Frederick told me yesterday his certainty of being accepted by Miss Valery.
She had lain awake half the night thinking of Anne Valery, and had guessed, or put together many things, which made her come with uncontrollable emotion into the presence of her whose fate had been so knotted up with her own. For that this circumstance had in some way or other brought about Anne's fate the one fate of a woman's life Agatha could not doubt.
"Qualifications for what?" inquired Agatha, Miss Valery being silent "For obtaining from my friend here what I would at once have applied for to any stranger; poor Wilson's vacant post as her overseer, land-agent, steward, or whatever the name may be." "Steward!" cried Mrs. Harper. "Surely you would never dream of being a steward?" "Why not?
Will you accept it, with my love?" So saying, she laid over the bride's head a piece of old point lace, magnificent in texture. Agatha had never seen anything like it. "Oh, Miss Valery, to think of your giving me this! It is fit for a queen!" And she looked at Mr. Harper, hesitating to accept so costly a gift. "Nay, take it," said he smiling.
Beware how you not only take your brother's birthright, but seal your brother's curse." "God forbid. Oh, Anne Anne!" He pressed his hand over his eyes, and leaned back a moment leaning, though he did not know it, against his wife, who had stolen behind his chair. No one else came near; they all shrank from their brother as if he were suddenly gone mad. Looking up, he saw only Miss Valery.
Because I am unworthy of the situation, or as I fear my proud little wife thinks because the situation is not worthy of me? Nay, a man never loses honour by earning his bread in honourable fashion; and Miss Valery herself said that for this office she required both a gentleman and a friend. Will she accept me?"
"Miss Valery! what has become of Miss Valery? said the bride, her eyes wandering restlessly around. Other eyes followed hers Major Harper's. Incredulously these rested on the silent lady in the background, whose whole mien, figure, and attire, in the plain dark dress, and close morning cap, marked her a woman undeniably and fearlessly middle-aged. "Is it possible!" he exclaimed.
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