eached the house, and rang stoutly at the bell. A servant answered
it, who was adjusting his coat just put on, he not having expected such
early visitors.

'The back entrance is round the corner there, young man,' were his words
on perceiving Owen, whose pride was greatly roused thereby.

'Tell Mrs Howel Jenkins that her brother, Mr Owen Prothero, is here,'
said Owen, intending to electrify the man.

But he did not succeed. The servants knew very well that their
mistress's family was not of 'county rank,' and that its members were
not upon terms with the Aberteweys, therefore had no very high opinion
of them. He turned on his heel, and told a female servant to tell
Lucette, the French maid, to tell her mistress that Mr Owen Prothero was
at the door.

In a few minutes the man reappeared, and, with a great increase of
civility, asked Mr Prothero to walk into the breakfast-room, and said
his mistress would be down as soon as possible. Whilst he was admiring
the room and its costly furniture, and considering the tea service, a
smart little French-woman came to him and asked him in French, whether
he would stay to breakfast; as he knew something of the language he
replied in the affirmative. Then appeared an equally smart and
fascinating French valet, who begged to be allowed the honour of
conducting Monsieur to a bedroom, to arrange his toilet.

Owen laughed heartily and followed the man, who took up his knapsack
daintily, and led him to a very handsome bedroom, where Owen brushed his
hair as becomingly as he could, arranged his beard, and made himself as
smart as his wardrobe would allow of his doing. He was, as we have
before said, a very handsome young man, and sufficiently well mannered
to pass muster anywhere.

'What is the next act, I wonder?' said he, as he found his way into the
breakfast-room. He was quite taken aback as he entered, when he saw a
pale young lady sitting in one of the windows, reading. He made his bow,
she curtseyed, and said,--

'Mrs Howel Jenkins' brother, I believe? My name is Simpson.'

Owen bowed again, and not being of a shy turn, and having seen ladies of
various degrees during his travels, began to make himself agreeable.

In a few minutes, a little French fairy flitted into the room, with her
hair off her face to display such eyes and complexion as are rare in all
times; and muslins, laces, and ribbons so blended, as to set off a
petite figure to the very best advantage. Owen was