“Whatever my husband's decision may be, I am quite satisfied therewith.”
Mrs. Thornycroft was mute with amazement However, she was too good-natured to be really angry. “Certainly, you are the most extraordinary, incomprehensible young couple! But I can't stay to discuss the matter. Agatha, I shall see you to-morrow?”
“Yes; I will bring her to you to-morrow,” said Mr. Harper, cheerfully, as their visitor departed.
The husband and wife regarded one another in silence. At last he said, taking her hand:
“I owe you thanks, Agatha, for”—
“For doing my duty. I hope I shall never forget that.”
At the word “duty,” so coldly uttered, Mr. Harper had let her hand fall He stood motionless, leaning against the marble chimney-piece, his face as white as the marble itself, and, in Agatha's fancy, as hard.
“Have you, then, quite decided against our taking the house?” she asked at length.
“I find it will be impossible.”
“Why so? But I forget; it is useless to ask you questions.”