the crowning feather in Gladys' cap.

CHAPTER XXIX.

THE COUNTRY GENTLEMAN.

Plas Abertewey was a fine old country seat, that had been in Colonel
Vaughan's family for generations. Miss Gwynne was not the only scion of
the good old county gentry who was disgusted at seeing it in the
possession of a son of old Griffey Jenkins, the miser. But so it was to
be. Howel took the place, nominally for a term, but with the avowed
intention of purchasing it, or the first place of any note that should
be for sale in the county.

He made liberal proposals to Colonel Vaughan's agents as regarded
improvements and repairs, the house having been much neglected for some
years; and in the course of a few months after his marriage with Netta,
workmen of all kinds were employed in adorning Plas Abertewey for his
expected arrival with his bride.

This did not take place, however, until the following spring, by which
time the house and grounds were in as fine order as money could make
them. Howel sent down a person from London to superintend the work, and
remained with Netta in Paris until it was nearly completed; then he
brought her over to England, left her in London with his friends the
Simpsons, and ran down into Wales, accompanied by Captain Dancy, who had
been his companion during a great portion of his Paris trip.

They remained only a few days, and then returned to town to superintend
the purchase of furniture, plate, and the various appurtenances of a
country establishment, which were duly despatched to the _charge
d'affaires_ in the country, and vigilantly guarded by Mrs Griffith
Jenkins, who took up her abode at Abertewey for the time being.

As bell-ringers do not pause to consider the cause and effect of the
events they are ordered to commemorate, but rather think of the amount
of money and liquid they are likely to receive for their labour, the
chime of Llanfawr rang a merry peal when the future master and mistress
of Plas Abertewey drove through the town. There was, moreover, a small
show of fireworks on the occasion. Blue balls, crackers, rockets and the
like blazed and hissed about to the no small danger of the thatched
roofs of some of the houses. Mrs Griffith Jenkins undrew her purse
strings on that day, and the cheering and shouting were great as the
bride and bridegroom appeared. Howel bowed and smiled as all great men
do on such occasions, and Netta laughed, and was proud. One of the blue
balls made th