y just running down to Mrs Prothero's to settle with
her about Gladys? I am sure we shall none of us be happy until that
matter is arranged. If you will go down through the wood, Nita, I will
join you at the waterfall, or somewhere else, in less than a quarter of
an hour. Will you excuse me, Mr Jones?'

'Certainly,' was the reply.

'But had we not better all go?' asked Miss Hall, casting an entreating
glance upon Freda, who, however, would not see it.

'I think not. Mrs Prothero is so nervous that we should frighten her to
death. It will take me five minutes to run down the hill, five minutes
to say my say, and five to get to the waterfall. But you need not hurry
away, as I can wait for you; or, if you are not there, I will find you.
Come, Frisk, come with me.'

Frisk was a fine, little Scotch terrier, his mistress's especial
favourite, and he bounded after her with great satisfaction. The pair
were soon half-way down the hill, near the bottom of which Glanyravon
Farm lay.

'I think I managed that capitally,' said Freda to Frisk? 'didn't I,
Frisk? Now, if he doesn't take advantage of the opportunity, he is very
foolish. Don't you think so, Frisk?'

Frisk jumped, and barked, and twirled about in a very affirmative way.

'I should like to make up a match, it would be such fun. And I think he
is a very worthy, gentlemanly sort of man, though I shouldn't like him
for myself, and he is not quite the sort of person that I could have
supposed would have made such an impression on Serena. But she would be
such a capital clergyman's wife, and he would be so fond of her! But
what should I do without her? Get married myself? The only man that I
ever saw that I could marry won't marry; and then he doesn't care for
me. Heigho! this is an odd world. All of us at cross-purposes. But I
don't mean to break my heart,--do I, Frisk?'

The 'do I, Frisk?' brought Freda and her dog to the gate that led into
the road, and the road soon led them to the farm, where Frisk began at
once to run after all the poultry, to the no small annoyance of Shanno.
But Freda succeeded in catching him, and carrying him off with her into
the parlour, whither she went, and whither Mrs Prothero followed her.

'I have just come to ask what you have settled about Gladys,' said Miss
Gwynne. 'I cannot stay long, and am anxious to know.'

'My husband thinks it better that she should go to you, as you kindly
wish to take her,' replied Mrs Prothero, with tears