Rowland begged her to come to him if she were in any difficulty; assured her of his brotherly love and deep interest in her; pointed out her path of duty to her, and urged her to be patient with her husband whatever might happen, and to endeavour to win him to better courses; then left her with a heavy heart and a promise to return on the morrow.  He was obliged to be at home that evening for a service in the church.

Late at night Howel returned, anxious and pale.  Netta and Mrs Griffey had been to see Albert Smith’s entertainment, and the latter was in a great state of descriptive excitement, when Howel interrupted her by saying,—­

’Mother, I am very sorry to seem so unkind and inhospitable, but I am afraid I must ask you to return home to-morrow.’

’To-morrow!  I am feeling too tired to be up in time to-morrow, and, seure! if you ’on’t give your own mother a home for as long as she do like to stay, there’s my Lady Simpson who is asking me there, and—­’

’Impossible, mother, I must see you off for Wales.  I am in great trouble about money, and I must leave to-morrow myself or shall be in jail.’

‘Name o’ goodness, Howel, what wos you doing with what I did give you?’

’Never mind; only, if anything is said to you about that money by any one, take care what you say in answer.  Don’t answer at all, indeed, or it may ruin you and me.  Now you must pack up your things to be ready for the first train.  Tell the servants—­I will—­that you are summoned home by a telegraphic message.’

Howel impelled his mother upstairs, and then said to Netta, who was standing looking very pale, with her hand on her heart,—­

’Netta, you must fill your pockets, and every corner of your dress that will contain them, with such jewels and plate as are of value.  Money, I fear, there is none, unless my mother has any.  Send the servants to bed, and do this when all is quiet.  I am liable to be arrested for debt, and do not know when it may or may not take place.  Have a cab to-morrow morning, and send my mother to the station; then take Minette, at your usual hour, through the park to Hyde Park Corner.  Start about ten.  I will meet you.  I must not stay here to-night; indeed, I must not stay longer.’

Netta threw her arms round Howel’s neck, and entreated him not to leave her.

‘Netta, don’t be a fool!  You don’t want to ruin me, do you?’

Netta withdrew her arms, and stood like a statue before Howel.

’You needn’t look so frightened? it will be all right in a few weeks.  To-morrow at ten, remember.’

Howel kissed her, and again left the house.

Poor Netta set about the work that was appointed her mechanically.  First of all, however, she went into her mother-in-law’s room, and assisted her to pack.  Mrs Griffey was by turns indignant, alarmed, and sorrowful; but finding that she must depart, and that some real difficulty existed, she made no further resistance.  Seeing that Netta had literally no money, she gave her a ten-pound note, under a faithful promise that she would not transfer it to Howel.