seems in such buoyant spirits that the women laugh too; and very soon
Netta has quite forgotten her home, as with her hand clasped in Howel's
he unfolds to her his future plans and arranges hers.

'Deet, and this is like a sofa in a drawing-room. I shall be asleep if I
don't take care,' says Mrs Jenkins.

'The best thing you can do, mother. I will awake you when we get to
Reading, where the biscuits are made you used to sell, faugh! and be
sure to show you Windsor Castle.'

Mrs Jenkins obeys her son's wish, and is soon sleeping soundly.

Howel then gives Netta the following intelligence, which, as it
interests her, we will hope may be interesting to her friends.

'The old gown you gave my mother, Netta, I sent to a celebrated house in
town, and calling there the next day ordered a proper _trousseau_ to be
made for you.'

'What's a _trousseau_, Howel?'

'You little dunce. Why, what we call a _stafell_ without the household
furniture. So you will find a wedding dress and all kinds of dresses and
garments without number awaiting you, for I gave the milliner _carte
blanche_.'

'What's _carte blanche_, cousin? You are become so grand.'

'Never mind--white paper with two meanings. And here is a present to
begin with.'

Howel takes a leather case from his pocket and puts it into Netta's
hand. She opens it, and sees a beautiful little gold watch and chain.

'Oh, you dear, kind cousin, Howel!' she cries; her eyes sparkling with
delight. 'I have longed for one all my life.'

'Will you go back again, Netta dear?' asks Howel archly.

The watch and chain are duly put on, and then Howel continues,--

'To-morrow you will have a hard day's work. You must purchase a great
many things that will be necessary for travelling that I could not buy.
The rest we can get in Paris. I have invited my friends, Sir John and
Lady Simpson, and their son and daughter, to the wedding, which I have
fixed for the day after to-morrow. One of the reasons for my not being
able to come to you yesterday was that I must be a fortnight in the
parish where we are to be married before we are married. I just ran down
by the night train, took the fly, and met you; and shall make up my lost
night by sleeping in town, for certainly I slept nowhere yesterday.
Can't sleep in a train like mother; always feel too excited.'

'I don't like those grand people,' interrupted Netta, pouting.

'You will know them directly. But don't let out anything about the f