"Are you not a little superstitious?" inquired her husband.
"I believe not," was answered with forced calmness. "But I may be very selfish."
"Selfish, Agnes! Why do you say that?"
"I cannot bear the thought of giving you up to the busy world again," she answered, tenderly, leaning her head against him. "Nor will it be done without struggle and pain on my part. When we looked forward to the life we have been leading for the last few years, I felt that I could ask of the world nothing of external good beyond; I have yet asked nothing. Here I have found my earthly paradise. But if banishment must come, I will try to go forth patiently, even though I cannot shut the fountain of tears. There is another Eden."
Mr. Markland was about replying, when his sister entered the room, and he remained silent.
CHAPTER XXVII.
THE conversation was resumed after they were again alone.
"Grace frets herself continually about Fanny," said Mrs. Markland, as her sister-in-law, after remaining for a short time, arose and left the room.
"She is always troubling herself about something," answered Mr. Markland, impatiently.