had preached that day twelvemonth, which riveted the attention of his large congregation, and made her wonder whence he had received the gift, by half-an-hour’s plain eloquent preaching, of opening the heart to receive truths hitherto more understood than felt.  Rowland had become to her, and many, the type of a preacher and minister of the Gospel, and to him she owed, under God, the fuller enlightenment and enlargement of her own mind.

After the service was over she went into the vicarage.  Here, again, she was at home.  She had much to tell Mrs Prothero of the kindness of Sir Philip Payne Perry and his wife to her, and many messages to deliver from them.  She had also to hear Mr and Mrs Jonathan’s opinion of Netta, and of the approaching wedding.  She avoided any word that could recall Howel.

‘I hope you are not displeased with the match?’ said Freda.

‘By no means,’ was Mrs Jonathan’s reply.  ’I always thought Gladys very superior, and her turning out to be Mr Jones’ niece removes our only objection.  It is quite a romance!’

‘She is a clever young woman,’ said Mr Jonathan.  ’I was surprised the other day to find how much history she knew.  As to Wales, she has it by heart, and is not wholly unacquainted with the antiquities of the country.  It was quite a pleasure for me, Miss Gwynne, I assure you, to meet with any one who took so much interest in ancient lore.  And now she is to be one of the family she is so much more at her ease.  Actually asked me, of her own accord, of the fossils in the Park quarry, and a very acute question concerning the lords of the marches.  She even knew that her name, Gladys, meant Claudia, and that the original Gladys is, probably, the very Claudia mentioned by St Paul.’

‘We shall all be thrown into the shade now, Mrs Prothero,’ said Freda, laughing.  ‘Gladys will evidently be the favourite.’

‘I am afraid I must break up your conversation, my love,’ interrupted Lady Mary.  ‘You can drive or ride over to finish it when you like.’

On their way home her ladyship remarked,—­

’I suppose this unfortunate discovery concerning Mr Howel Jenkins will quite ruin Mr. Rowland Prothero’s position in London society?’

’He is scarcely in what is called “society;” but his friends are not likely to be changed by the conduct of his brother-in-in-law.  He is far too highly esteemed and admired to be injured by such a man as Howel Jenkins.’

Freda felt the blood rush to her cheeks, and was convinced that Lady Mary noticed it.

‘I am glad to hear you say so, my dear,’ said Mr Gwynne.  ’He is a great favourite of mine, and I should be sorry to think his prospects were injured.  They are a rising family.  His brother is very much thought of, and improving his own and my property amazingly.  A most energetic young man, and so amusing, that he almost kills me whenever I see him.  I am glad he is going to marry that pretty Gladys.’