Still more heartily did he repeat that wish several times during the night.  Mrs Prothero could not sleep, and what with her anxiety about Gladys, sorrow for the departure of Owen, and longing to see her own daughter, her mind was excited beyond its wont.  As is often the case under such circumstances, she fancied she heard all kinds of noises in the house; once she was sure some one was coming upstairs, and another time that there was a tapping at the front door.  She crept softly out of bed, and half fancying she should find Gladys without, went downstairs, and opened it.  Nothing was visible but the flickering moonbeams amongst the trees, or audible save the tinkling of the brook through the farm-yard.

‘Name o’ goodness, what’s the matter now?’ ejaculated the farmer, as the creaking of the bedroom door awoke him.

’Don’t be angry, Davy, bach, but I can’t sleep for thinking of that poor girl; maybe she’s without a roof to cover her.’

’Owen’ll see to that.  ’Tis a hard case a man mayn’t sleep in his bed because of a good-for-nothing wench like her.’

The next morning, after breakfast, when Mrs Prothero was urging him once more to look for Gladys, and he was vehemently refusing, Miss Gwynne and Miss Hall again made their appearance.

Mr Prothero had to swallow a very broad expression of disgust, as well as to listen politely to that young lady, who persisted in saying she would continue the search for Gladys if he would not.

‘I am sorry to annoy you, Mr Prothero,’ she said, ’but it is due to Gladys to clear her character; there are plenty of jealous people about us, quite ready to take it away.  I do not wish you to have any more trouble in this matter, but I cannot let it rest until I find the poor girl.  She shall come to me direct, and need not be an eyesore to you.  I will send off in every direction until I find her.’

’I beg your pardon, Miss Gwynne.  If she is to be found, I must do it.  I ’ont have a talk made about our turning her out of doors, and such like.  As she isn’t gone Glamorganshire way, I suppose she must be gone towards Ireland, and I had best follow that scent.  I’ll give her one more turn, and then have done with her.  Mother, if I don’t come home to-night, don’t be frightened, as she may have gone a good step.’

Mr Prothero was leaving the room, when Miss Hall stopped him, saying,—­

’I thought, Mr Prothero, that you might not have seen this notice of a meeting in your son’s parish, and as he is mentioned, I brought over the paper for you.’

Mr Prothero thanked Miss Hall, and took out his spectacles.  Whilst he was wiping them, however, Miss Hall read from the Times the report of a meeting for forming a ragged school in Rowland’s parish, in which was the following paragraph:—­’The Reverend Rowland Prothero, curate of the parish, made a very clear and able speech upon the subject, and brought forward a well-digested plan for the school, which will probably be adopted.  The thanks of the meeting were offered to him.’