It was reserved for Mr. Halliday and Mr. Sutherland to talk of her
mental qualities. Her character was so marked and her manner so
simple that few gave attention to the intellect that was the real
basis of her power. The two mentioned gentlemen, however,
appreciated her to the full, and it was while listening to their
remarks that Frederick was suddenly startled by some one saying to
him:

"You are the only person in town who have nothing to say about
Agatha Webb. Didn't you ever exchange any words with her?--for I
can hardly believe you could have met her eye to eye without
having some remark to make about her beauty or her influence."

The speaker was Agnes Halliday, who had come in with her father
for a social chat. She was one of Frederick's earliest playmates,
but one with whom he had never assimilated and who did not like
him. He knew this, as did everyone else in town, and it was with
some hesitation he turned to answer her.

"I have but one recollection," he began, and for the moment got no
farther, for in turning his head to address his young guest he had
allowed his gaze to wander through the open window by which she
sat, into the garden beyond, where Amabel could be seen picking
flowers. As he spoke, Amabel lifted her face with one of her
suggestive looks. She had doubtless heard Miss Halliday's remark.

Recovering himself with an effort, he repeated his words: "I have
but one recollection of Mrs. Webb that I can give you. Years ago
when I was a lad I was playing on the green with several other
boys. We had had some dispute about a lost ball, and I was