with a
handsome Bible in Welsh and English, in token of their gratitude and
love for her. Mr Jones had been too much engaged in London to allow of
his visiting Wales until two or three days before his marriage, during
which time he had occasionally met, and spoken kindly to Gladys, and
given her a book on Missionary subjects, which he had brought purposely
for her, expecting to find her at the farm. He had also carried pleasant
news of Rowland to Mrs Prothero, and frequently spoken of him to Mr
Gwynne and Freda--of his earnestness in his profession, and of the love
and esteem in which he was held by his rector and his flock.

Freda felt very lonely when her dear Serena was gone. She had no one
amongst her immediate neighbours for whom she cared much. The general
round of country dinner-parties she had always found very dull, and the
annual hunt week and assize balls she had never liked; so she found
herself again thrown quite upon her own resources. As long as Colonel
Vaughan had been in the country, she had taken an interest in
everything; when he left, her ordinary pursuits--her riding, painting,
music, garden--in all of which he had aided her, suddenly lost their
charm. Her friend's marriage came about just when she wanted an object
of interest, and when that was over she was thrown back upon herself.

By degrees, however, a healthier tone returned to her mind, and she
forgot the fascinating Colonel Vaughan, and recovered her interest in
her house, school, dogs, birds, garden, and the thousand and one small
objects that serve to make time pass cheerfully and happily in a country
home. Above all, she became more and more interested in Gladys, and
anxious to shelter her from the many dangers and temptations which she
saw her peculiar beauty and position subjected her to. She soon found
out that all the men-servants paid their devotions to her shrine, and
that even the ancient and portly butler was not indifferent to her
charms; but the simplicity and modesty of Gladys kept them all at a
respectful distance, and the housekeeper told Miss Gwynne, that 'Reelly,
she was quite a pattern in the servants' 'all, and it was a treat to see
a young 'oman who knew how to keep the men off--not but the girls were
as jealous of her as could be; but that wasn't to be wondered at, for
none of 'em was made anything of when Gladys was near.' Even Mr Gwynne
roused himself to make inquiries concerning Freda's pretty maid, which
was quite