ay.

'Mr Rowland Prothero, have you quite forgotten who I am, and who you
are?'

With these words she made a stately bow, and turned towards the house.
Proudly and hastily she walked up the avenue; once she had turned round,
and seeing Rowland standing exactly where she had left him, hurried on
until she found herself in her own room, indulging in a very decided
flood of indignant tears.

CHAPTER XXI.

THE BROTHERS.

During this short conversation between Rowland and Miss Gwynne, Gladys
was still playing with the children at no great distance from them. With
all a woman's penetration, she had guessed Rowland's secret during his
mother's illness, and had perceived no symptoms of attachment on the
part of Miss Gwynne; and now, with all a woman's pity, she was watching
him from afar. She had seen them standing together, had marked the hasty
bow and retreat of the lady, and the immoveable attitude of the
gentleman; she saw that he continued to stand where Miss Gwynne had left
him, as if he were a statue; she guessed something must have passed
between them.

As twilight was fairly come on, she told the schoolmistress that she
must go home, and begged her to see that the children dispersed when she
thought best. Owen, who was in the midst of a game of cricket with the
boys, was as well aware of all Gladys's movements as if he had been by
her side. He saw that she was shaking hands with the mistress, and that
the children were imploring her to stay a little longer. He went to her
and asked her to remain until he had finished his game, in order that he
might see her home.

She thanked him, but said, rather abruptly for her, that she must go at
once, and, heedless of what he or others might think, went hastily
across the park to Rowland.

'That's the way the wind blows, is it?' said Owen to himself, whilst a
frown gathered on his open forehead.

Rowland was unconscious of the approach of Gladys, and was startled from
his trance by the words,--

'Mr Rowland, sir, I think the mistress will be expecting you home.'

He looked at her half unconsciously for a moment, and then rousing
himself, said,--

'Oh! Gladys, is it you? Yes, I will go directly. Where? Home? Of course
it is time. I will walk with you.'

These were the only words spoken between the pair. Rapidly he strode
down the avenue, inwardly resolving never to enter it again; as rapidly
along the road that led to the farm, until he reached the ho