Gladys went downstairs again, and found Owen telling Mrs Jenkins what he thought of Howel’s and her own conduct.

‘My mistress would like to see you, ma’am,’ said Gladys.

’I’m thinking I ‘ont go near her now, you, Owen, have been so reude.’

’Oh, for that much, you may do as you please, Aunt ’Lizbeth.  I shall have the pleasure of going with you to my mother.  You’ve pretty nearly killed her amongst you, and I don’t mean to let her be quite put an end to.’

’Will you be showing the way, young ‘ooman,’ said Mrs Jenkins, rising majestically and smoothing down a very handsome silk dress, which she had carefully taken up before she sat down.

Owen’s wrath was turned to amusement

’Did you think we hadn’t a duster in the house, aunt?  I can tell you you’ve pretty well dirtied that white petticoat.’

Gladys led the way to Mrs Prothero’s room, and Mrs Jenkins and Owen followed.

‘I’m sorry to see you so poorly, cousin,’ said Mrs Jenkins, approaching the bed on which Mrs Prothero lay, looking flushed and excited.

’What did you expect, ’Lizabeth Jenkins? when you have carried off my daughter—­my child—­my Netta!  And caused misery in our house never to be mended.’

’Well, seure!  One ’ould think we’d murdered Netta, ’stead of making her as grand as a queen, with a lord and a lady to be giving her away, and a captain to be at the wedding, and a gentleman in a waistcoat and chains and rings that do be worth a hundred pounds at least, and a young lady for bridesmaid in a shoall of lace, handsomer than your Miss Gwynne of the Park, and a wedding-cake covered with sugar, and silver, and little angels, and all sorts of things which I was bringing with me for you; and a clergy like a bishop to marry her, and a coach and horses to be taking her back and fore, and she looking as beauty and happy as ever I was seeing!  And my Howel’s as rich and fine as anybody in London, Prince Albert nothing to him, and might be marrying Miss Simpson, my ladyship’s doter, if he wasn’t so fullish as to be marrying your Netta!’

‘Now, aunt, it is our turn, if you please,’ said Owen, as soon as Mrs Jenkins gave him time to speak.  ’Will you tell my mother Netta’s message?’

’I am taking it very unkind that you should all turn upon me.  David Prothero I ’spected ’ould be in a passion, but, stim odds!  Netta said, cousin, that I wos to tell you she was sorry to be leaving you in a hurry, but that she had everything she could be wishing, gowns, and white shoes, and lace veils—­seure you never wos seeing such a beauty—­and a stafell—­trosy they do call it in London—­good enough for my Lady Nugent, and a goold watch and chains, and rings and bracelets, ach un wry! there’s grand!’

’But what did Netta say to me, cousin ’Lizbeth?  I don’t care if she was all gold from head to foot.  I would rather have her here in rags,’ said Mrs Prothero, bursting afresh into tears.