Here Gladys was foremost.  It was wonderful to see how she had gained the affections of the young.  One and all were round her, and when the gentlemen and ladies came to look on, and join in the revels, the first thing that attracted them was the flushed face and graceful figure of this really beautiful girl, as she led the boisterous youngsters in a game of ‘French and English.’

In a moment Colonel Vaughan was in the ring heading the boys; but Gladys immediately retired, abashed, as he stood opposite to her, as captain on the French side.  But Owen came to the rescue, and the gallant officer and equally gallant sailor headed the ranks, as commanders of the bands of French and English.  They had a hard fight on both sides, but at last the English conquered, and Owen and his party won the day amidst great cheering.

Sir Hugh and Rowland joined in the succeeding games; and sixpences, sweetmeats, apples, and every available prize was given to the boys and girls for racing, jumping, singing, and the like, until the shades of evening fell over the scene.

Lady Mary Nugent and her daughter were the first to wish good-night; as they were to walk home, Colonel Vaughan proposed accompanying them.

‘You will return at once?’ asked Freda, rather peremptorily, for she disliked that the Nugents should carry off the all-fascinating colonel.

He bowed and said ‘yes,’ and Rowland, who was near, saw Freda’s cheek flush as he looked at her.

It chanced that Rowland and Miss Gwynne were left together at a distance from the revel.  They stood awhile, looking on, and talking over the day.  Rowland said it had been most successful.  Indeed he felt that all had been pleased; none more than himself, for had not everyone congratulated him, and above all, had not Miss Gwynne been even kinder and more friendly, than when by his mother’s bed side she had seemed to him as a sister?

’If it has been successful, Mr Rowland, it is in a great measure due to you,’ said Miss Gwynne, looking up into his face with a smile of real satisfaction.  ’I should never have managed the children so well, and I must say, much as I like your uncle, I don’t think he would have managed the services so well as you have done.’

Reader! were you ever praised by a very handsome woman, whom you have loved all your life, when standing with her alone under a wide-spreading oak, in a noble park, with mountains bathed in the red and yellow of the sunset before you, and a broad harvest-moon rising above your heads?  If so, you will not wonder at the end of this chapter.

Rowland suddenly fixed his fine, dark eyes upon Freda’s face, and looked into it, as if he would read her soul.  For a moment she was abashed at the gaze, and coloured deeply, whilst her eye-lids drooped over the eyes he sought.  Was there ever a woman who was not flattered and excited by such a look?

‘Miss Gwynne,’ at last said Rowland tremulously, ’if in any way I can have served and pleased you I am happy.  For this, in part, I have laboured, and still would labour.  You do not, you cannot know how I have loved you all my life.’