“Agatha, I cannot tell you.”
“But I can tell you; and I will, for it is right. Major Harper, do not be unhappy. Believe me, I care not one jot for all the money I ever had. If you have lost it, I am sure it was accidentally. You would not wilfully wrong me of a straw.”
Again Major Harper groaned. Nathanael stood speechless with amazement. At length he said, very gently:
“How did you find this out, Agatha?”
“Mr. Grimes told me.”
“Was that all he told?”
“Yes.”
Major Harper looked relieved. Nathanael watched him sternly. After a while he said:
“Frederick, this is the right time to explain all. Do not start; you need not fear me; in any case I shall hold to my promise. But if you would explain—for my sake, for others' sake”—
The other shrank away. “No, not now,” he whispered; “oh! brother, not now. Give me a little time. Don't disgrace me before her—before them all.”