‘Netta, let me in, I have something to say to you,’

No reply, but a passionate sobbing audible.

‘Netta, dear Netta, I am so sorry for you.  Let me in.’

He tried the door, but it was locked.

’Netta, if you don’t let me in I’ll go and fetch mother directly.  One, two, three, and, now, open the door, I’m going.  One, two, three, and away!’

He walked down the passage, and heard the door opened behind him.

‘Owen, come here, I will let you in,’

‘There’s a good little sister.’

‘Don’t palaver me, sir,’ burst forth Netta, as soon as her door was closed.  ’You are all unfeeling, unnatural, cruel, selfish, hard-hearted heathens!  You don’t care for me or Howel any more than as if we were strangers.  Father don’t mind what he drives me to, and mother cares more for that Irish beggar than for me—­I know she does.  I did think you would be our friend, and now you are as stiff and unfeeling as Rowland.  Seure you are,’

‘Why, if I was a parson like Rowland, I’d marry you to-morrow.’

’Then, why don’t you try to bring father round.  You know he thinks more of you than of anybody else.’

’It’s no use trying; nobody but mother has any influence with father, and she is not sure that ‘tis right or good for you and Howel to marry.’

‘She is cruel and unkind,’ sobbed Netta; ’I don’t believe any one really loves me but Howel,’

’Stick to that, Netta; ’I for one haven’t a spark of affection for you.  All father wants is to get rid of you, and that is why he is in such a hurry for you to make such a grand match!’

’Oh! indeed! he and all the rest of you are as jealous of Howel’s good fortune as you can be,—­you know you are.  And you wouldn’t like to see me a grand lady, grander than Miss Rice or Miss Nugent even.  Won’t I let them know I’m somebody, and not to be looked down upon any more, that’s all!’

Hereupon Netta wiped her eyes, and walked up and down the room grandly, whilst Owen burst out laughing,

‘I beg you to go out of, my room, Owen!’ said Netta, stamping her foot and getting into a passion.  ’One can’t expect manners or sympathy from seafaring porcupines like you.  Go away directly.  Why, John James, the carter, is genteeler than a great coarse sailor such as you.  Go you away, I say.’

’You ought to have said a seafaring dolphin or whale; they don’t pay twopence a week to learn manners, like you land-lubbers.  When you want me you may send for me.’

Owen went off very much offended, leaving Netta to cogitate upon the cruelty of her relations.

In the course of that afternoon, a very well-dressed woman, in the deepest of sables, was seen going down the road to the farm.  She went round through the garden to the glass-door, disdaining the yard, knocked a great many times, to the great astonishment, of Shanno, and was at last admitted, as Mrs Griffith Jenkins.  Shanno, all reverence at sight of the crape bonnet, crape veil, and widow’s cap, ushered her into the parlour, feeling that a chasm now lay between her and the dame she had last seen in a high-crowned Welsh hat, striped flannel gown, and checked apron.  Having duly dusted a chair with her skirts, Shanno glanced at Mrs Jenkins, and was about to leave the room, when Mrs Jenkins said,—­