ce and a great many other countries, and
it grieves me to think how long it will be before I shall see you
again. I hope you and father will forgive me? as Howel is a
gentleman with plenty of money, and we have loved one another all
our lives. I don't see why we were not allowed to marry like
anybody else, instead of being obliged to go so far away; I am sure
it would have been better if father had let us. Dear mother, you
were always very good to me, and I am sorry if I ever offended you;
but father called me bad names, and was very cross; he will be
vexed, perhaps, when he sees how grand and happy I am.

'Good-bye for a little time, my dear mother. Don't be very angry
with your dutiful, affectionate daughter, JANETTA.'

The word 'dutiful' was scratched through and affectionate added.

When Mrs Prothero had read this letter, she turned very pale, and stood
like one in a dream; she could not realise the contents. That Netta was
wilful and obstinate she knew, but she had never known her guilty of
resolute disobedience; she felt very faint, and sat down on a chair
opposite the open door--she tried to rise to go downstairs to her
husband, but found that her head was too giddy, and she could not move;
she put her hand before her eyes, and became unconscious.

At this moment Gladys passed down the passage, and seeing Mrs Prothero
in this strange attitude, went into the room and asked if anything was
the matter. Receiving no answer, she put her hand tenderly on Mrs
Prothero's, and removing it from before her face, saw that she was pale,
and appeared to have fainted. She ran hastily downstairs, and finding
Owen alone, told him that his mother was ill. He followed her upstairs,
and soon perceived that Mrs Prothero was really in a kind of swoon.
Whilst he supported her, Gladys brought water and such restoratives as
she could procure; she begged him to go for his father, and whilst he
was gone, succeeded in restoring Mrs Prothero. At the sight of the open
letter, however, she sank again into a fainting fit.

Mr Prothero and Owen appeared.

'Mother, what is the matter? Name o' goodness what is the matter?' said
Mr Prothero in great alarm.

Gladys pointed out the letter to Owen, who glanced at it whilst his
father took his wife into his arms.

Gladys put vinegar to her temples and nostrils, and begged Mr Prothero
to take her to the open window; as he did so he saw Owen