that she had courage to command him with heightened voice, and
threatening manner, to go home. The dog crouched, and then licked the
hand, upraised to send him back. Poor Gladys fell upon his neck, and
burst into tears. He licked off the tears with a wistful, canine
earnestness and love, and again prepared to follow her.

'Back, good dog! Home, Lion!' said Gladys.

The dog turned away with his tail between his legs, and walked half-way
down the road. Gladys hurried through the gate, and along the public
road, shutting the gate behind her upon Lion. No sooner was she out of
sight than the tail was again in motion, the head turned, and Lion was
peering over the hedge after her. As she swiftly pursued her way,
turning neither to the right nor to the left, she did not perceive the
faithful friend that was literally dogging her steps; but still Lion
followed; and thoughtless of master and mistress at home, kept in view
the poor beggar-girl who had managed to win his love, together with that
of all the animal kind around and about Glanyravon.

Thus pursuing her unknown way, and thus pursued by Lion, we must leave
Gladys and return to the farm.

At the usual hour, Mrs Prothero came down to breakfast; no Gladys was
visible, and no neat table was laid for the early meal. Mrs Prothero
asked the servants if they had seen Gladys, and they said she had not
yet come down; not altogether ill-pleased to find the favourite, for
once, in fault. Mrs Prothero thought that the events of the past night
had probably made her ill; and relenting from her somewhat severe
feelings towards her, she went upstairs to see what was the matter.
Receiving no answer to her tap at the door, and call of 'Gladys,' she
went into her little room. She saw all neat as usual, and the bed
unruffled. Her heart misgave her, and she painfully remembered the
morning of Netta's flight. As if by instinct she went to the small
dressing-table, and at once had her fears confirmed. Very sadly she took
up the pretty cap that was left there, and looked at the large piece of
netting to which was appended a paper. She unpinned the paper, and read
the following words:--'For my dear mistress, with respectful wishes, and
best prayers for many happy returns of the day.'

Mrs Prothero unfolded the work slowly, and saw two handsome, long,
netted window curtains, with a fancy border, that must have taken hours
from the donor's sleep to accomplish. As she unfolded them, a letter