’He is very, very nice, dear, and as kind as any gentleman in the world.’

The little girl clapped her hands.

‘I shall like to go to Glanyravon and make mamma quite well.’

Soon after breakfast, Rowland arrived, accompanied by Owen, who had travelled all night.

Gladys was with Netta in her bedroom, but all the rest of the family welcomed Owen.  Mr Jones shook him by the hand with peculiar warmth, because he was given to understand that he loved his newly-found niece.

Minette was soon on his knee, and in less than ten minutes had duly informed him that she loved him next to Uncle Rowland and that Gladys told her he ‘was the nicest gentleman in the world.’

Owen laughed heartily at this, to conceal his rising colour, and said,—­

‘And how is Gladys?’

’Quite well; she is coming to Glanyravon with us, to take care of mamma and me.’

Here Mrs Jones interposed, and explained how matters stood.

In a few moments Gladys appeared to say that Netta was ready in her little sitting-room to see her brothers.

Owen was not shy, so he walked bravely across the room to meet Gladys, and to shake hands with her, so thoroughly con amore that if, as Minette expressed it, her cheek was pink when she entered the room, it was crimson when she quitted it.

Mr and Mrs Jones looked at one another with great satisfaction, and somehow or other Rowland’s eyes met Miss Gwynne’s, and both smiled involuntarily.

‘He is a fine young fellow,’ said Mrs Jones, when Owen and Rowland had gone upstairs to Netta, accompanied by Minette.

’I almost wonder how two such sons, with such a fine, sturdy, sensible father, should have had such a silly little sister as that poor child upstairs; but I must go out.  Ask them to dinner, my dear, and don’t let Gladys tire herself to death before she starts for her journey.  Did you ever see any one look prettier in your life than she did when she met that fine young man?  What a couple they will make!’

‘What a romance you have worked up already, my dear,’ said Mrs Jones laughing, ’but certainly one may be proud of Gladys.  How thoroughly ladylike she is, and looks.  And she is so happy; she told me just now that she felt as if she had suddenly begun a new life.’

’God grant it may be a happy one, and may He bless you, my dear, for taking to the poor child so kindly.’

Miss Gwynne, who had left the party to put on her bonnet, here appeared, and Mr Jones and she set out on parochial business.

When Rowland and Owen had been some time with Netta, they returned to Mrs Jones, who pressed them to come to dinner.  They declined, however, having much to talk of, that could not be discussed in public, even before the kindest of friends.  Moreover, when Owen had been in London before, he told his brother that he would not dine in any house as guest where Gladys was considered as a servant.  In vain his brother assured him that she was more friend than servant—­she did not dine with her friends, and therefore he would not dine with them.