The following day brought the Welshman, Mr Prothero’s weekly treat, which it generally took him the week thoroughly to read and enjoy.

Owen chanced to open it first, and, as is usually the case, stumbled at once upon the marriage of his sister.  When his father came in he was in uncontrollable fits of laughter.

’Don’t be angry, father, but I can’t help it.  Ha, ha, ha!  D. Prothero, Esq. of Glanyravon!  Oh, I shall die of it!  Now, really, father, you ought to be proud.’

‘What are you making such a row about?’ said Mr Prothero looking over Owen’s shoulder.

His eye caught the words, ’Howel Jenkins, Esq., and Miss Prothero, Glanyravon, and Sir John Simpson.  This was quite enough.  He seized the paper with an oath, crumpled it up, and thrust it into the fire, and gave Owen such a violent blow on the back with his fist, that the young man’s first impulse was to start up and clench his in return; however, his flush of passion cooled in a moment, and he said,—­

’Come, father! remember it isn’t I that ran away.  Time enough to give me a licking when I do.  I’m much obliged to you for letting me know what a strong father I’ve got.’

’Once for all, Owen, take you care how you laugh upon that subject or name it to me.  I can give and take a joke as well as most people, but not about that, sir, and from you.  Name o’ goodness, what d’ye think I’m made of!’

The farmer walked out of the hall, and left Owen heartily sorry for having hurt his father’s feelings, but chuckling over the fashionable marriage.

The following morning he managed to procure another paper, and read his mother and Gladys the announcement, knowing full well that maternal pride must rejoice in the exaltation, whilst it wept over the disobedience of an only daughter.

To the astonishment of every one, the following morning brought Mrs Griffith Jenkins to Glanyravon, attended by her maid-servant.  Gladys answered the door to the thundering double-knock that resounded through the house, and was quite taken aback when she saw who the visitor was.

’Is Mrs Prothero at home, young ‘ooman?’ asked Mrs Jenkins in a grand tone of voice.

‘My mistress is very ill, ma’am,’ said Gladys.

‘Ill!  Since when?’

‘Ever since Miss Netta left, ma’am.’

‘Do Mr Prothero be in the house, or Mr Owen?’

‘They are out harvesting, ma’am.’

’Tell you Mrs Prothero that I do bring message from Mrs Howel Jenkins for her, and that I was promising to give it myself.’

Gladys did not know what to do.  She felt sure that Mr Prothero would not admit Mrs Jenkins under his roof, and that her mistress would be afraid to do so; however, she ventured to ask her to come in and wait a little time whilst she sent for Mr Owen.  Fortunately, Owen was not far from the house, and Mr Prothero was riding to some distant part of his farm, so Gladys left Mrs Jenkins to Owen, and went upstairs to tell Mrs Prothero that she was in the house.  Mrs Prothero was greatly agitated, but declared that she would see her at all risks, and tell her husband that she had done so.  She begged Gladys to remain in the room during the visit, and to prevent a meeting between Mrs Jenkins and Mr Prothero.