‘Better marry yourself, my dear.’

’Marry who?  The only person who would really care to have me, whether I had a fortune or not, is Sir Hugh Pryse, and I could no more marry him than—­than—­Mr Rice Rice, or Major Madox, who thinks only of the heiress of Glanyravon.’

’But you have refused half-a-dozen more, and have not even taken the trouble to try to like any one of them!’

’They were all in love with the Park, not with me; and I certainly never mean to try to like any one.  It must be true love with me, or none at all.  I shall die an old maid, and unless you will, just for my sake, try to cut out Lady Nugent, I daresay you and I will nurse the black cat together.’

Freda’s conversation was checked by the sound of horses’ hoofs behind; she turned sound and saw a gentleman riding slowly up the drive.  He soon overtook them, and raising his hat, said,—­

‘Miss Gwynne!  I am sure it must be Miss Gwynne; am I right?’

Freda bowed.

’You do not remember me! twelve years make a great difference! and you were a child when I left.’

‘Colonel Vaughan!  Oh!  I am so glad to see you!’ claimed Freda.  ’And papa will be charmed; we heard you were in England, but did not know you were in this county.’

Colonel Vaughan dismounted, and shook hands with Freda, evidently with all his heart, then glancing at Miss Hall, started, and said,—­

‘Yes—­no—­I beg your pardon, surely not Miss Hall.’

‘Yes,’ said Miss Hall, colouring slightly, and holding out her hand, I am very glad to welcome you home again, but can well imagine you did not expect to see me here.’

By this time they were at the house, and Freda was planning introducing Colonel Vaughan to her father as a stranger, and seeing whether he would recognise him or not.

She accordingly preceded him to the study, and said to Mr Gwynne, ’A gentleman wishes to see you, papa.’

Mr Gwynne rose and made his bow, and motioned to a seat in his usually nervous manner.

‘How do you do, Mr Gwynne?  Don’t you know me?’ said the colonel, standing up before him.

’I beg your pardon—­no—­I do not think I have ever—­impossible!  It cannot be my godson, Gwynne Vaughan?’

‘The very same!’ said the colonel.  ’I only came down last night, and this is the first place I have visited.’

‘I am very glad to see you, my dear fellow,’ said Mr Gwynne, absolutely rising from his chair.

‘And this was what the bells were ringing for last night?’ said Freda, looking flushed and handsome.

‘In spite of my poverty they did me that honour,’ said the colonel.  ’I heard the old place was likely to be let again, and so ran down to have a look at it first, and beat up my old friends.  It was years ago that I went, a youth of nineteen, into the army, and twelve since I have been here, and I have been all the world over since then; but I come back and find everything much as I left it.’