how grand they were, their dinner and wines
were so good as to cover their efforts.

What if their guests remarked, as guests will, gentle reader, when our
backs are turned, that Howel was insufferably purse-proud and conceited,
and his wife as affected and provincial as possible; they did not hear
the friendly notices, and were well content to fill the concert room
with their party, all in full dress, to the admiration of the townsfolk,
and of Mrs Griffey Jenkins in particular.

Howel had quite forgotten his mother in his general invitation and did
not even see her for some time, seated in a prominent position, and
making one of his own party, to all appearance. She had saved his
character for filial duty by going where he would little have thought of
placing her, and awaiting his arrival, as her pride impelled her to do.
Owen spied her at once, and took Mme. Duvet to the seat next her, on her
left; whilst on her right sat Mr Deep, and nigh to him, of all people in
the world, Mrs Rice Rice, that staunch supporter of family dignity.

Owen shook hands with Aunt 'Lizbeth, and introduced her to Madame Duvet
and Mr Deep, after having asked them first of all whether they had seen
her previously.

'I never had that honour,' said Madame Duvet, curtseying.

'I didn't be going to Abertewey since you was coming there, ma'am,' said
Mrs Griffey, rising and curtseying, to the unspeakable diversion of Mrs
Rice Rice and Mr Deep.

The reader may remember that Mrs Jenkins was at Abertewey when Howel
made his triumphant entry there, but the following morning he gave her
to understand, as delicately as he could, that the idiomatic
translations of the Welsh language which had been so refreshing in
London, would be better in her native town than at Abertewey, and she
departed accordingly.

His ire may be imagined, when he suddenly heard the well-known idioms
lavished upon Madame Duvet and Mr Deep, who were enjoying them a great
deal more than the concert, which, being principally in the vernacular,
was not so intelligible and far less amusing. Mrs Jenkins was in her
glory. Never had Mrs Rice Rice been so condescending before. She and Mr
Deep made themselves more agreeable than she had supposed it possible
for such grand people to be, and she frequently glanced at Owen, as much
as to say, 'And I am the person that your father turned out of doors!'

Owen, on his side, was sorry that he had exposed her to the sarcasm that
she so litt