Heedless of the interruption, Mr Jonathan addressed his niece as follows:—­

’My dear Niece, Claudia,—­I shall henceforth call you by that name, in memory of her of the Epistle, and I so registered it just now, Gladys or Claudia—­I wish you and my good nephew, Owen, all happiness and prosperity, both spiritual and temporal.  I pray that you may, according to the example of your illustrious namesake, devote yourself to works of piety and hospitality, making your husband’s home happy, and keeping a place therein for his and your friends.’

‘To be sure she will, uncle,’ said Owen, ’and we will have an especial corner for you, called “The Claudia,” where the little hypocrite shall talk to you of all the druidical remains, and fossil mammoths, that she pretends to be so interested in.’

‘You had better come and take off your bonnet now, my dear,’ said Mrs Jonathan to the flushed and shy Gladys.

‘I hope I shall never be married,’ whispered Freda to Mrs Jones, ’if I am to undergo that sort of ordeal.  But I suppose all brides are not kissed in that way.’

Uncle and Aunt Jonathan had prepared a substantial early dinner—­they did not dignify it by the name of dejeuner, or miscall it breakfast—­to which, in the course of an hour or so, the family party sat down, much as they would have sat down to any ordinary dinner.  The dining-table just accommodated ten comfortably, and Netta sat in her easy-chair by the fire, with a small table by her side, making the eleventh.

Miss Gwynne remained to luncheon only, being engaged to dine at Abertewey, and not considering herself quite as one of the guests.  She had come uninvited and unexpected, to show due honour to Gladys and her dear friends, Mr and Mrs Jones, and the whole party were gratified by the attention.

The remarks upon her doing so made by her friends at home, were various.

‘Freda is certainly very eccentric,’ said Lady Mary to her husband.  ’Her former maid—­your tenant’s son—­the brother-in-law of that Howel Jenkins.  Do you think it discreet, Mr Gwynne?’

’Why, really, Lady Mary, I didn’t think about it.  She has always done what she likes; they are very worthy, respectable people, you know, and all that sort of thing.’

’Well, if you don’t object, of course it is no affair of mine.  But it looks very much as if she still thought of Mr Rowland.’

’Oh, an excellent young man!  It was only yesterday I saw his name mentioned in the Times, as having attended a large meeting in the place of his rector, who is ill.  It was upon the general question of all sorts of improvements of the low parts of London.  I can’t exactly remember what they were, religious, and sanitary, and all that sort of thing you know.  Well, the thanks of the meeting were awarded him, for his very clear and accurate information, or something of the sort.  Very satisfactory, you know.’

‘Oh very! but that can have nothing to do with Freda.’