e the search for Gladys if he would not.

'I am sorry to annoy you, Mr Prothero,' she said, 'but it is due to
Gladys to clear her character; there are plenty of jealous people about
us, quite ready to take it away. I do not wish you to have any more
trouble in this matter, but I cannot let it rest until I find the poor
girl. She shall come to me direct, and need not be an eyesore to you. I
will send off in every direction until I find her.'

'I beg your pardon, Miss Gwynne. If she is to be found, I must do it. I
'ont have a talk made about our turning her out of doors, and such like.
As she isn't gone Glamorganshire way, I suppose she must be gone towards
Ireland, and I had best follow that scent. I'll give her one more turn,
and then have done with her. Mother, if I don't come home to-night,
don't be frightened, as she may have gone a good step.'

Mr Prothero was leaving the room, when Miss Hall stopped him, saying,--

'I thought, Mr Prothero, that you might not have seen this notice of a
meeting in your son's parish, and as he is mentioned, I brought over the
paper for you.'

Mr Prothero thanked Miss Hall, and took out his spectacles. Whilst he
was wiping them, however, Miss Hall read from the _Times_ the report of
a meeting for forming a ragged school in Rowland's parish, in which was
the following paragraph:--'The Reverend Rowland Prothero, curate of the
parish, made a very clear and able speech upon the subject, and brought
forward a well-digested plan for the school, which will probably be
adopted. The thanks of the meeting were offered to him.'

'There is always a pleasure with every pain,' said Mrs Prothero, wiping
her eyes. 'Thank you, Miss Hall.'

'And the Bishop of London was in the chair. So, mother, if he isn't a
bishop himself, you see he's been very near one,' said Mr Prothero,
looking very much gratified. 'Well, I'll go now, Miss Gwynne, and look
after that confounded--I beg your pardon, Miss--after that Irish jade,'
and he went accordingly, leaving the ladies to talk it over with his
wife.

CHAPTER XXVI.

THE FRIEND.

Mr Prothero started as soon as his horse was ready, and, it must be
confessed, in a very bad temper. As soon as he got out of the precincts
of Glanyravon, he began to make inquiries of every one he met, and at
every cottage he passed, concerning Gladys. It was evident, from the
replies that he received, that if she had gone that road, it was so
early in the morning