Nathanael at last opened the door. He looked like one who has struggled and conquered not only with things without, but things within. His face had all the pallor, but likewise all the peace of victory. Agatha rose to meet him.
“Have you been waiting for me this long while? Good child!” And he smiled, but solemnly, as with an inward sense of the Presence which makes all things equal—softens all asperities and calms all passions.
“Do you know where my brother is?” asked Nathanael.
“Down-stairs, with the rest.”
“Will you go and fetch him?”
Agatha looked up at her husband half incredulously. “Have you then succeeded? Is all made right?”
“Yes.”
“Oh, how good—how good you are!” She grasped his hands and kissed them, her eyes floating in tears; then, lest he should be displeased, ran quickly away.
Miss Valery met her at the stairhead, coming from the gallery where were Elizabeth's rooms. They exchanged the usual question, “How is he now?” and then Agatha said:
“Be glad with me! I am sent to fetch Major Harper.”