Frisk was a fine, little Scotch terrier, his mistress’s especial favourite, and he bounded after her with great satisfaction.  The pair were soon half-way down the hill, near the bottom of which Glanyravon Farm lay.

‘I think I managed that capitally,’ said Freda to Frisk? ’didn’t I, Frisk?  Now, if he doesn’t take advantage of the opportunity, he is very foolish.  Don’t you think so, Frisk?’

Frisk jumped, and barked, and twirled about in a very affirmative way.

’I should like to make up a match, it would be such fun.  And I think he is a very worthy, gentlemanly sort of man, though I shouldn’t like him for myself, and he is not quite the sort of person that I could have supposed would have made such an impression on Serena.  But she would be such a capital clergyman’s wife, and he would be so fond of her!  But what should I do without her?  Get married myself?  The only man that I ever saw that I could marry won’t marry; and then he doesn’t care for me.  Heigho! this is an odd world.  All of us at cross-purposes.  But I don’t mean to break my heart,—­do I, Frisk?’

The ‘do I, Frisk?’ brought Freda and her dog to the gate that led into the road, and the road soon led them to the farm, where Frisk began at once to run after all the poultry, to the no small annoyance of Shanno.  But Freda succeeded in catching him, and carrying him off with her into the parlour, whither she went, and whither Mrs Prothero followed her.

‘I have just come to ask what you have settled about Gladys,’ said Miss Gwynne.  ‘I cannot stay long, and am anxious to know.’

’My husband thinks it better that she should go to you, as you kindly wish to take her,’ replied Mrs Prothero, with tears in her eyes.  ’He says that he has no ill-will to the poor girl; on the contrary, he is very fond of her; but he don’t think her a good match for our eldest son, Owen, who might marry very well.  For my own part, I think he would never meet with such another as Gladys; but that is in the hands of Providence, and if it is to be it will be.  He says that he is sure Owen will never come home as long as she is with us, for fear of sending her away; but that when he knows that she is so well off with you, he will perhaps come back again.  And, indeed, we want him sadly, Miss Gwynne.  It is a great trial to us, to have three children, and neither of them at home to help us.  My husband is much altered since Netta married, though he don’t show it; and Netta won’t write, or do anything to prove she’s sorry, and though he don’t say so, I think this makes him more angry.’

‘Then you really wish Gladys to come to me?’

’I do indeed, Miss Gwynne.  I am quite sure it will be for her good; and you cannot help liking her.  But she will not make any choice between the two situations you offer, but says you must do with her whatever you think best.’

‘Is she very unhappy at the idea of coming to us?’