nd persuading himself that he ought to be very angry with
Gladys. He had quite slept off his softer feelings, and whilst at his
lonely breakfast had gone through an imaginary quarrel with Owen, and a
dispute with his wife, which had so raised his choler, that when Gladys
entered he was as red as he usually was when in a passion at home.

Gladys saw that he was angry and trembled very much; but she knew that
she had done no wrong, and tried to reassure herself.

Mr Prothero began at once. It must be remarked, however, that he had
previously learnt from the landlady that Gladys was pretty well, and had
eaten a good breakfast.

'Name o' goodness, young 'ooman, what did you run away from our house
for in such a sly, underhand way, and give us all this trouble and
bother? Don't suppose I 'ould a run after you, if it wasn't for Miss
Gwynne and your mistress.'

'Oh, sir, I am very thankful to ye and to them. I know I don't deserve
such kindness.'

'Treue for you there. I should have thought you'd have known that one
'lopement was quite enough from one house. Pray, what have you done with
my son Owen?'

'I, sir? Nothing, sir!' said Gladys, trembling at this abrupt question.

Lion licked her hand as if to reassure her.

'You needn't tell no lies about it, because I shall be seure to find
out. Where is he gone?'

'Indeed--indeed, I don't know, sir. I thought he was at home at
Glanyravon.'

'But he isn't at home. He went off with you.'

'Oh, not with me, sir--not with me, I assure you. I went away that he
might stay, and that I might not cause anger between you. I am speaking
the truth, sir, indeed I am.'

Mr Prothero looked at the agitated girl, and felt inclined to believe
her.

'Tell me why you went away at all, then?'

'Because Mr Owen said to me words that I knew he would be sorry for, and
because I saw that you, sir, were displeased at what he said about me.'

'What did he say to you? Tell me the truth.'

'He said, sir--oh! I cannot tell. Perhaps you would be more angry with
him if you knew.'

Gladys' head drooped low, and a burning blush overspread her pale face.

'I can't be much more angry with him than I am, but tell you the treuth.
Did he want to marry you?'

'Yes, sir.'

'And you--what did you say?'

'That I couldn't marry any one in this world, sir.'

'What do you mean to wait for, then?'

'Nothing, sir, nobody.'

'And what did Owen say to that?'

'I don't think anything more particul