ifficult for Netta to know what to say about the death of the
miser. She was not sorry, and she could not tell how her cousin felt.

'Oh, yes; my mother is pretty well. I have been ill, but shall soon be
all right again. Netta, how long is it since we met?'

'A twelvemonth next Friday.'

'You remember the day, dear Netta. Then you do not hate me, although
they have done their best to make you do so, by calling me gambler,
spendthrift, drunkard, and all the charming etceteras.'

'Oh no, Howel.'

'Take off that bonnet, and let me see if you are altered.' He unfastened
the strings, and let the long black curls fall over the girl's neck.
'No, you are only prettier than ever, cousin Netta. How would you look
in lace and pearls, and all the goodly array of a fine lady?'

'I don't know, Howel; but tell me what you wanted me for.

'Just let me twist this bunch of roses into your hair first, to see how
an evening toilette would become my pretty cousin Netta.'

Howel had torn a spray from the rose-bush at their back, and he inserted
it carelessly amongst the curls.

'How well you look, Netta. I should like to see you in a ball-room. We
will go together to plenty of balls, if you will only consent.'

'I don't like those roses, cousin,' said Netta hastily, 'they are
unlucky I think,' and she tore them from her hair, and threw them, as
she had done the previous ones, into the brook. 'Now let us see where
they will go.'

'We have not time, Netta, and I do not know why I am fooling away the
hours. You must answer all my questions truly and plainly. I am become a
rich man, how rich I do not myself know; and I mean to let every one
belonging to me see that I can spend my money like a gentleman, and be
as grand as those who have hitherto lorded it over me.'

'Particularly the Rice Rices and Lady Mary Nugent,' interrupted Netta.

'Would you like to be grander than they, Netta? have a finer carriage,
more beautiful clothes, a handsomer house, plate, jewels, servants, and
all sorts of magnificence?'

'Oh, yes, of all things in the world.'

'Then you shall be my wife, Netta, and we will soon see whether we
cannot be as grand as the grandest.'

'Oh, cousin!'

'Well, dear Netta; tell me, are you changed?'

'No, cousin.'

'If I ask your father's consent, and he gives it, will you marry me?'

'You know we settled that long ago, cousin Howel; but father will not
consent, unless--unless--'

'Pshaw, but if I ask his consen