We will not follow the brothers further in their conversation; they made the most of the few hours they were together, and after a short night’s rest, arose early, breakfasted, and went to fetch Netta.

The sight of her favourite brother, and the prospect of returning home had roused her, and she seemed more herself than she had been since Howel’s letter.  Gladys was as bright and busy as a queen-bee, and Minette was all tears and smiles.

There were a great many ‘last words’ to be said, and as all the preparations had been made the previous day, there was plenty of time to say them.

‘I don’t know how to thank you,’ said poor Netta to Mrs Jones and Miss Gwynne, as they were putting on her last warm cloak.  The tears were streaming down her pale cheeks, and her hand, as usual, was on her heart.

Mrs Jones kissed her, and Miss Gwynne said cheerfully, ’I shall see you soon, Netta, and I want Mrs Jones to come to Glanyravon with me, so it will not be a long parting.’

‘You have been very good to my child and me,—­God will bless you!’ sobbed Netta.

’I will come again, Mr Jones, and see you, and Mrs Jones, and the little children,’ said Minette, who was hugging Mr Jones warmly.

He took her up in his arms, kissed her, and put her into the cab next her mother, who had been placed therein by Rowland.

Gladys’ farewells were the last.

‘That’s what I call something like it, Rowly,’ said Owen tapping his brother’s shoulder, as he watched Mr and Mrs Jones alternately give Gladys a most affectionate embrace.

’But why does the old parson hug her so?  He shouldn’t do that if I were Mrs Jones, or if she were Mrs—­’

The truth was, that at the last the uncle’s feelings overcame Gladys’ desire for secrecy, and exploded in a kiss long and fatherly.

When she was in the cab Mr Jones called Owen aside, and said in a whisper,—­

’I know you will take care of Gladys, and remember, that although she is ready for everything that is good, she is not strong.  If your father makes the least objection to her remaining with your sister, take her to the Park, whence she can return at once to us.  As long as I live, no one will neglect her with impunity; but I am sure I can trust you and yours.’

‘That you certainly may,’ said Owen, nearly shaking Mr Jones’ hand off, but saying to himself a few minutes after, ’What could he mean by putting her into my care?  If his wife had done it, or Miss Gwynne, well and good; but I declare parsons are no better than the rest of us, I daresay Rowly isn’t half as steady as he seems; he and Miss Gwynne are wonderfully polite to one another, and he’s as grand as any lord.’

Owen jumped upon the box, and Rowland by the side of Gladys inside the cab, and so they drove off through the thick fog, some five or six miles to the Paddington Station.

Owen took a second-class ticket for himself, but when Netta heard that he had done so she begged so hard to be allowed to travel second class with him, or that he would come with her, that he was obliged to change it, and become, as he expressed it, ’a grand gentleman for once in his life.’